Is Skim Milk Sharp Cheddar Cheese Slices Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Kraft Singles
Skim Milk Sharp Cheddar Cheese Slices is a dairy from Kraft Singles. It has a Zerotox safety score of 30/100, which means it has several flagged ingredients and may not suit cautious buyers.
The main ingredients worth reviewing are Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil.
30 / 100
Why score is 30
The composition includes several synthetic and processed ingredients such as sodium phosphate, artificial color, and carrageenan, which raise quality and safety concerns. The presence of partially hydrogenated soybean oil and sorbic acid as a preservative further indicates a highly processed product, contributing to the low rating.
Main concern
Contains sodium phosphate, a synthetic additive that raises concerns about processed ingredients.
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 culture and enzymes, which are essential for flavor development in cheese products.
- Includes milk protein concentrate, providing some protein content.
Concerns
- Contains sodium phosphate, a synthetic additive that raises concerns about processed ingredients.
- Includes artificial color and flavor, indicating a reliance on synthetic additives that may affect quality.
- Partially hydrogenated soybean oil is present, which is associated with health risks due to trans fats.
- Carrageenan is included, which has been linked to digestive issues and raises safety concerns.
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 Whey safe in this dairy?
Good
Whey is used here as base. Whey is a byproduct of cheese production, providing some protein and contributing to the texture of the cheese slices. It is a natural ingredient that does not raise significant safety concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: Whey
-
Is Skim Milk Cheese safe in this dairy?
Medium
Skim Milk Cheese is used here as base. Skim milk cheese is made from skim milk, cheese culture, salt, and enzymes. While it provides flavor and texture, the processing involved raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: Skim Milk Cheese (Skim Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes)
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Is Milk Protein Concentrate safe in this dairy?
Good
Milk Protein Concentrate is used here as base. Milk protein concentrate is a concentrated source of protein derived from milk. It enhances the protein content of the cheese slices without significant safety concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: Milk Protein Concentrate
Read the full ingredient profile for Milk Protein Concentrate
-
Is Water safe in this dairy?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water is a common ingredient used to adjust the consistency of cheese products. It does not raise any quality or safety concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: Water
-
Is Sodium Phosphate safe in this dairy?
Bad
Sodium Phosphate is used here as stabilizer. Sodium phosphate is a synthetic additive used to improve texture and stability. Its presence raises concerns about the overall quality of the product due to its processed nature.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: Contains Less Than 2% Of Sodium Phosphate
-
Is Salt safe in this dairy?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt is used for flavor enhancement and preservation in cheese products. It is a natural ingredient that does not raise safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Salt
-
Is Dried Corn Syrup safe in this dairy?
Medium
Dried Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Dried corn syrup is a processed sweetener that can contribute to flavor but raises concerns about added sugars in processed foods.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Dried Corn Syrup
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Is Sodium Hydroxide safe in this dairy?
Bad
Sodium Hydroxide is used here as ph regulator. Sodium hydroxide is a strong alkaline compound used to adjust pH levels. Its presence raises safety concerns due to its caustic nature.
Role in formula: pH regulator
Original: Sodium Hydroxide
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Is Sodium Citrate safe in this dairy?
Medium
Sodium Citrate is used here as stabilizer. Sodium citrate is used to stabilize emulsions in cheese products. While it is generally recognized as safe, it is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: Sodium Citrate
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Is Lactic Acid safe in this dairy?
Good
Lactic Acid is used here as acidulant. Lactic acid is a natural acid that contributes to flavor and acts as a preservative. It is derived from fermentation and does not raise safety concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Lactic Acid
-
Is Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil safe in this dairy?
Bad
Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil is used here as emulsifier. Partially hydrogenated soybean oil is a source of trans fats, which are associated with various health risks. Its presence significantly lowers the product's quality.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil*
Read the full ingredient profile for Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil
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Is Whey Protein Concentrate safe in this dairy?
Good
Whey Protein Concentrate is used here as base. Whey protein concentrate is a high-quality protein source that enhances the nutritional profile of the cheese slices without raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: Whey Protein Concentrate
Read the full ingredient profile for Whey Protein Concentrate
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Is Lactose safe in this dairy?
Medium
Lactose is used here as sweetener. Lactose is a natural sugar found in milk. While it contributes to flavor, it may pose issues for lactose-intolerant individuals.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Lactose
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Is Maltodextrin safe in this dairy?
Medium
Maltodextrin is used here as thickener. Maltodextrin is a carbohydrate used as a thickener and stabilizer. It is derived from starch and raises some concerns about processed ingredients.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Maltodextrin
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Is Sorbic Acid safe in this dairy?
Bad
Sorbic Acid is used here as preservative. Sorbic acid is a synthetic preservative used to inhibit mold and yeast growth. Its presence indicates a reliance on artificial preservatives, which can lower quality.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: Sorbic Acid As A Preservative
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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 slices. Its synthetic nature raises concerns about the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: Artificial Color
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Is Yeast Extract safe in this dairy?
Medium
Yeast Extract is used here as flavor. Yeast extract is used to enhance flavor. While it can provide umami, it is a processed ingredient that may not align with clean eating preferences.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Yeast Extract
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Is Cellulose Gum safe in this dairy?
Medium
Cellulose Gum is used here as thickener. Cellulose gum is a thickening agent derived from plant fibers. While it is generally safe, it is a processed ingredient that raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Cellulose Gum
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Is Artificial Flavor safe in this dairy?
Bad
Artificial Flavor is used here as flavor. Artificial flavor is used to enhance taste but is a synthetic additive that raises concerns about the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Artificial Flavor
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Is Carrageenan safe in this dairy?
Bad
Carrageenan is used here as thickener. Carrageenan is a thickening agent derived from seaweed. It has been linked to digestive issues, raising safety concerns about its inclusion in food products.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Carrageenen
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this dairy?
Good
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is a natural preservative and flavor enhancer derived from citrus fruits. It is generally recognized as safe and does not raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Citric Acid
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Is Cheese Culture safe in this dairy?
Good
Cheese Culture is used here as natural_extract. Cheese culture is a blend of bacteria used in cheese production. It contributes to flavor and texture without raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Cheese Culture
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Is Milkfat safe in this dairy?
Medium
Milkfat is used here as base. Milkfat is the fat component of milk that contributes to flavor and texture. While it is a natural ingredient, its presence in processed cheese raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: Milkfat*
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Is Enzymes safe in this dairy?
Good
Enzymes is used here as natural_extract. Enzymes are used in cheese production to aid in curd formation and flavor development. They are natural ingredients that do not raise safety concerns.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Enzymes
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Is Vitamin A Palmitate safe in this dairy?
Medium
Vitamin A Palmitate is used here as fortifier. Vitamin A palmitate is a synthetic form of vitamin A used to fortify food products. While it adds nutritional value, its synthetic nature raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: Vitamin A Palmitate
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: 2389630
More from this brand: Kraft Singles products in Zerotox
Similar products: dairy in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: milk
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