Is American Singles Cheese Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Big Y
American Singles Cheese is a dairy from Big Y. It has a Zerotox safety score of 60/100, which means it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The main ingredients worth reviewing are Sorbic Acid, Artificial Color.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes sodium citrate and sodium phosphate as emulsifiers, which are common in processed cheese products. However, the presence of artificial color raises quality concerns, indicating a highly processed nature. Sorbic acid as a preservative also contributes to the moderate rating due to synthetic additives.
Main concern
Includes artificial color, which indicates a synthetic addition that may raise quality concerns for some consumers.
Why it matters: This ingredient is flagged in our analysis based on regulatory and scientific sources. Check the Ingredients section for details and see Data sources for methodology.
Regulation status: Ingredient safety is assessed from EU/EPA/CIR and similar databases; formulations may vary. Always read the product label.
Pros
- Contains cultured milk and cream, which are dairy ingredients that contribute to flavor and texture.
- Sodium citrate and sodium phosphate serve as emulsifiers, helping to maintain a smooth consistency in the cheese product.
Concerns
- Includes artificial color, which indicates a synthetic addition that may raise quality concerns for some consumers.
- Sorbic acid is a synthetic preservative that, while effective, contributes to the processed nature of the product.
Who should avoid this product?
This dairy may not be the best fit for:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Each ingredient below is explained in the context of this dairy so the page answers more than a simple label list.
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Is Cultured Milk safe in this dairy?
Good
Cultured Milk is used here as base. Cultured milk is a dairy product that provides beneficial bacteria for flavor and texture in cheese. Its presence indicates a traditional dairy base, contributing positively to the overall quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: CULTURED MILK
-
Is Water safe in this dairy?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water is a common ingredient in cheese products, used to adjust texture and moisture content. Its inclusion is standard and does not raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: WATER
-
Is Cream safe in this dairy?
Good
Cream is used here as base. Cream adds richness and flavor to the cheese, enhancing its mouthfeel. This ingredient is a natural dairy component that supports the product's quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: CREAM
-
Is Whey safe in this dairy?
Good
Whey is used here as base. Whey is a byproduct of cheese production that is often used for its protein content. It contributes to the nutritional profile without raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: WHEY
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Is Sodium Citrate safe in this dairy?
Medium
Sodium Citrate is used here as emulsifier. Sodium citrate is used to improve the texture and meltability of cheese. While it is a common emulsifier, its processed nature raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: SODIUM CITRATE
-
Is Milk Protein Concentrate safe in this dairy?
Medium
Milk Protein Concentrate is used here as base. Milk protein concentrate is a processed dairy ingredient that enhances protein content. Its inclusion indicates a level of processing that may concern some consumers.
Role in formula: base
Original: MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE
Read the full ingredient profile for Milk Protein Concentrate
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Is Modified Food Starch safe in this dairy?
Medium
Modified Food Starch is used here as thickener. Modified food starch is used to improve texture and stability in processed foods. While it serves a functional purpose, it is a processed ingredient that raises quality concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: MODIFIED FOOD STARCH
-
Is Whey Protein Concentrate safe in this dairy?
Medium
Whey Protein Concentrate is used here as base. Whey protein concentrate is a processed form of whey that boosts protein content. Its presence indicates processing, which may be a concern for some consumers.
Role in formula: base
Original: WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE
Read the full ingredient profile for Whey Protein Concentrate
-
Is Calcium Phosphate safe in this dairy?
Medium
Calcium Phosphate is used here as stabilizer. Calcium phosphate is used to enhance texture and provide calcium. While it serves a functional role, it is a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: CALCIUM PHOSPHATE
-
Is Salt safe in this dairy?
Good
Salt is used here as base. Salt is a common ingredient in cheese that enhances flavor and acts as a preservative. Its presence is standard and does not raise safety concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: SALT
-
Is Sorbic Acid safe in this dairy?
Bad
Sorbic Acid is used here as preservative. Sorbic acid is a synthetic preservative used to prevent spoilage. Its inclusion indicates a processed nature and raises quality concerns regarding synthetic additives.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: SORBIC ACID (PRESERVATIVE)
-
Is Sodium Phosphate safe in this dairy?
Medium
Sodium Phosphate is used here as emulsifier. Sodium phosphate is used to improve texture and stability in cheese products. While functional, it is a processed ingredient that raises quality concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: SODIUM PHOSPHATE
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this dairy?
Medium
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used to enhance flavor and preserve freshness. While it serves a functional purpose, it is a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: CITRIC ACID
-
Is Artificial Color safe in this dairy?
Bad
Artificial Color is used here as colorant. Artificial color is used to enhance the visual appeal of the cheese. Its synthetic nature raises significant quality concerns regarding the overall composition.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: ARTIFICIAL COLOR
-
Is Lactic Acid safe in this dairy?
Medium
Lactic Acid is used here as acidulant. Lactic acid is used to enhance flavor and acidity in cheese. While it is a natural byproduct of fermentation, its processing raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: LACTIC ACID
-
Is Enzymes safe in this dairy?
Medium
Enzymes is used here as enzyme. Enzymes are used in cheese production to aid in curd formation. While they are essential for cheese making, their processing may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: enzyme
Original: ENZYMES
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Is Vitamin safe in this dairy?
Medium
Vitamin is used here as other. Vitamins are often added to enhance nutritional value. While beneficial, the specific type and source are not disclosed, raising some quality concerns.
Role in formula: other
Original: VITAMI
How we score
Our safety scores and ingredient breakdowns are based on regulatory and scientific sources. See Data sources & methodology and How Zerotox works for full details.
Product info
Product ID: 2385308
More from this brand: Big Y products in Zerotox
Similar products: dairy in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: milk
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.