Happy Farms by ALDI DELI-SLICED COLBY & MONTEREY JACK CHEESE
At a glance
Summary
This product is classified as ultra-processed due to its deli-sliced format, which involves additional processing beyond traditional cheesemaking. However, it contains a relatively clean ingredient list with pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, microbial enzymes, and annatto for coloring, which are typical for cheese. The absence of harmful additives or seed oils helps maintain a reasonable score within the constraints of its processing level.
Key ingredients 5
Cheese cultureGood
Beneficial ingredient — whole-food or functional value in this product class.
Benefits
Contributes to the development of flavor and texture in cheese.
Pasteurized milkNeutral
Pasteurized milk is a common base for cheese, providing essential nutrients like calcium and protein. The pasteurization process kills harmful bacteria but may also reduce some beneficial enzymes. It is a standard ingredient in cheese production with no significant health concerns.
Benefits
Provides calcium and protein, essential for bone health and muscle maintenance.
SaltNeutral
Salt is used in cheese for flavor and as a preservative. It is a necessary component in cheese-making but can contribute to high sodium intake if consumed in excess. It is a standard ingredient in cheese with no additional health benefits.
Risks
Excessive consumption can lead to high sodium intake, which is associated with increased blood pressure.
Benefits
Enhances flavor and acts as a preservative in cheese.
Microbial enzymesNeutral
Microbial enzymes are used in cheese-making to coagulate milk, an essential step in the process. They are an alternative to animal rennet and are suitable for vegetarian cheese. These enzymes are standard in cheese production and have no direct health benefits.
Benefits
Facilitates the cheese-making process by coagulating milk.
AnnattoNeutral
Annatto is a natural coloring agent derived from the seeds of the achiote tree, used to give cheese its yellow-orange hue. It is considered safe and is commonly used in food products. While it adds color, it does not provide nutritional benefits.
Benefits
Provides natural color to cheese without artificial additives.
Processing
Ultra-Processed Foods
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