Ricotta cheese

Common questions

Is Ricotta cheese healthy?

Ricotta cheese scores 60/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — a fair-to-good score — solid, with tradeoffs. This ricotta cheese is ultra-processed, containing multiple additives such as xanthan gum, locust bean gum, and guar gum, which are used to improve texture but are highly processed and can cause digestive issues.

How processed is Ricotta cheese?

Ricotta cheese is NOVA Group 4: Ultra-Processed Foods.

Which ingredients drive Ricotta cheese's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Milk counts in its favor. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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Ricotta cheese

Giant
60 Fair

Analysis updated September 2026 · How Scout scores

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At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 1
Harmful ingredients 0
Category Cheese
Summary

This ricotta cheese is ultra-processed, containing multiple additives such as xanthan gum, locust bean gum, and guar gum, which are used to improve texture but are highly processed and can cause digestive issues. Despite being a dairy product, the presence of these additives and the high level of processing limit its score, as it does not align with the clean label and minimal processing criteria of higher-rated cheeses.

Key ingredients 6

Milk
Good

Whole dairy ingredient.

Risks

May cause digestive issues for individuals with lactose intolerance.

Benefits

Rich in calcium and protein, supporting bone health and muscle maintenance.

See more about Milk →
Whey
Neutral

Whey is a byproduct of cheese production and a source of protein. It is generally considered a neutral ingredient in terms of health impact. It provides essential amino acids but lacks the complexity of whole food proteins.

Benefits

Provides essential amino acids and can support muscle repair and growth.

See more about Whey →
Vinegar
Neutral

Vinegar is used in cheese production to aid in curdling milk. It is a natural ingredient with minimal health impact. It can add a slight tangy flavor to the cheese.

Benefits

Acts as a natural preservative and flavor enhancer.

See more about Vinegar →
Xanthan gum
Neutral

Fermentation-derived thickener, well tolerated at food-use levels.

Risks

May cause digestive discomfort such as bloating or gas when consumed in large amounts.

Benefits

Helps improve texture and stability in food products.

See more about Xanthan gum →
Locust bean gum
Neutral

Standard formulation ingredient — neither beneficial nor harmful at typical use.

Risks

Potential to cause digestive issues such as bloating or gas in sensitive individuals.

Benefits

Improves texture and consistency in food products.

See more about Locust bean gum →
Guar gum
Neutral

Standard formulation ingredient — neither beneficial nor harmful at typical use.

Risks

May lead to digestive discomfort such as bloating or diarrhea when consumed in excess.

Benefits

Enhances texture and stability in food products.

See more about Guar gum →

Processing

Group 4 · Ultra-processed

Ultra-Processed Foods

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