Is Cheez-It Smoked Cheddar Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Cheez-It
This page reviews Cheez-It Smoked Cheddar by Cheez-It as a snack. Its current score is 60/100, suggesting that it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: Monosodium Glutamate.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The ingredient analysis reveals a mix of processed and natural components. Ingredients like monosodium glutamate and artificial colors raise quality concerns, impacting the overall rating.
Main concern
Contains monosodium glutamate, a flavor enhancer that raises safety concerns.
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 cheese made with skim milk, providing some dairy benefits.
- Includes natural flavors and spices like garlic and onion powder for taste.
- Uses enriched flour, which adds some vitamins and minerals.
- Incorporates cheese cultures, which can contribute to flavor complexity.
Concerns
- Contains monosodium glutamate, a flavor enhancer that raises safety concerns.
- Includes multiple artificial colors like annatto extract, indicating processing.
- Vegetable oils present may include palm oil, raising sustainability issues.
- Maltodextrin is a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns.
Who should avoid this product?
You may want to be cautious with this product if you are:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
The ingredient notes below are written to explain what each ingredient does in this snack and why it matters.
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Is Enriched Flour safe in this snack?
Medium
Enriched Flour is used here as base. Enriched flour is a processed ingredient providing some vitamins but lacks the fiber of whole grains.
Role in formula: base
Original: ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, VITAMIN B1 [THIAMIN MONONITRATE], VITAMIN B2 [RIBOFLAVIN], FOLIC ACID)
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Is Vegetable Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Vegetable Oil is used here as base. Vegetable oil blends are used for texture and flavor but may include palm oil, raising sustainability concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: VEGETABLE OIL (SOYBEAN, PALM, CANOLA AND/OR HIGH OLEIC SOYBEAN OIL WITH TBHQ FOR FRESHNESS)
-
Is Cheese Made With Skim Milk safe in this snack?
Good
Cheese Made With Skim Milk is used here as base. This cheese provides flavor and some nutritional benefits, derived from skim milk and whey protein.
Role in formula: base
Original: CHEESE MADE WITH SKIM MILK (SKIM MILK, WHEY PROTEIN, SALT, CHEESE CULTURES, ENZYMES, ANNATTO EXTRACT COLOR)
Read the full ingredient profile for Cheese Made With Skim Milk
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Is Salt safe in this snack?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor but should be consumed in moderation due to potential health concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: SALT
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Is Cheddar Cheese safe in this snack?
Good
Cheddar Cheese is used here as base. Cheddar cheese adds flavor and some nutritional value, derived from cultured milk.
Role in formula: base
Original: CHEDDAR CHEESE (CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES)
-
Is Maltodextrin safe in this snack?
Medium
Maltodextrin is used here as base. Maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate used for texture but raises quality concerns due to its processing.
Role in formula: base
Original: MALTODEXTRIN
-
Is Monosodium Glutamate safe in this snack?
Bad
Monosodium Glutamate is used here as flavor. Monosodium glutamate is a flavor enhancer that can cause sensitivity in some individuals, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE
-
Is Natural Flavor safe in this snack?
Medium
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavoring, including smoke, enhances taste but lacks transparency regarding its specific components.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: NATURAL FLAVOR (INCLUDING SMOKE)
-
Is Annatto Extract Color safe in this snack?
Medium
Annatto Extract Color is used here as colorant. Annatto extract is a natural colorant used for visual appeal but indicates processing.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: ANNATTO EXTRACT COLOR
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Is Paprika safe in this snack?
Good
Paprika is used here as colorant. Paprika is a natural spice that adds color and flavor, contributing positively to the product's profile.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: PAPRIKA
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Is Citric Acid safe in this snack?
Medium
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used for flavor and preservation but is a processed ingredient that raises some concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: CITRIC ACID
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: 2401525
More from this brand: Cheez-It products in Zerotox
Similar products: snack in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: wheat , milk
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.