Dairy & eggs · Product label guide
Cheese: compare ingredients, then choose.
Updated
Compare named cheeses and ingredients; ingredient checks do not assess raw-milk safety.
The short answer
Our picks for cheese
WinnersOrganic Valley Organic Grassmilk Raw Cheddar Cheese, Block and Organic Valley Organic Grassmilk Raw Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Block each score 100/100. They tie, so choose on the exact flavor or format you want.
Runners-upHorizon Organic Colby Organic Cheese Sticks (85), Horizon Organic Monterey Jack Organic Shredded Cheese (85), and Organic Creamery Organic Monterey Jack Cheese (85).
Clear noYoder's Fat Free Cottage Cheese (lists artificial dyes, carrageenan, artificial preservatives and banned-abroad additives), Borden Cottage Cheese (lists artificial dyes, carrageenan, artificial preservatives and banned-abroad additives), Prairie Farms Cottage Cheese (lists artificial dyes, carrageenan and artificial preservatives), plus 27 more with a listed group. We also can’t vouch for the 34 products without a verified current label; treat them as “not yet”.
Ranked from 175 of 209 products with current labels. Every product is in the table below; a score reflects labels and claims, not nutrition, allergies or safety.
Compare the recorded labels
Find the ingredients that matter to you.
“No …” columns: None found on the label · Listed on the label · Unknown. Diet fit: Fits · Doesn’t fit · Unknown (rules; not medical advice). Claims: verified · not established. Default: most check marks first; not a health score.
| Buy | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 6 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Grass-Fed Cultured Milk, Sea Salt, Vegetarian Enzyme. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic · Grass-fed The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Grassmilk ® Raw Cheddar Cheese, Block, 8 oz”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 6 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Grass-Fed Cultured Milk, Sea Salt, Vegetarian Enzyme. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic · Grass-fed The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Grassmilk ® Raw Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Block, 8 oz”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||||
| 85 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Product details → | 5 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients ORGANIC COLBY CHEESE (CULTURED PASTEURIZED ORGANIC MILK, SALT, ORGANIC ANNATTO [COLOR], MICROBIAL ENZYMES [NON-ANIMAL, RENNETLESS]). Label checked 2026-10-20 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2402867 · data date 2022-12-22 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-20 | ||||||||||
| 85 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Product details → | 5 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients ORGANIC MONTEREY JACK CHEESE (CULTURED PASTEURIZED ORGANIC MILK, SALT, MICROBIAL ENZYMES [NON-ANIMAL, RENNETLESS]), CELLULOSE (TO PREVENT CAKING). Label checked 2026-10-20 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2035515 · data date 2021-10-28 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-20 | ||||||||||
| 85 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Product details → | 5 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients ORGANIC PASTEURIZED WHOLE MILK, ORGANIC PASTEURIZED CREAM, ORGANIC PASTEURIZED NONFAT MILK, SALT, 4 STRAINS OF LACTIC CULTURES, LIVE PROBIOTIC CULTURES: L. ACIDOPHILUS, BIFIDOBACTERIUM LACTIS. Label checked 2026-10-20 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 1924072 · data date 2021-07-29 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-20 | ||||||||||
| 85 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Product details → | 5 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients CULTURED PASTEURIZED ORGANIC MILK, SALT, ENZYMES. Label checked 2026-10-20 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2409867 · data date 2022-12-22 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-20 | ||||||||||
| 85 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients ORGANIC CULTURED MILK, WATER, ORGANIC BUTTER (ORGANIC PASTEURIZED SWEET CREAM, SALT), SODIUM CITRATE, SALT, ENZYME. Label checked 2026-10-20 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2418076 · data date 2022-12-22 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-20 | ||||||||||
| 85 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Pasteurized Organic Whole Milk, Sea Salt, Organic Portabella Mushrooms, Organic Granulated Garlic, Organic Basil, Vegetarian Enzyme, Cultures. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Baby Bella Mushroom Jack”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||||
| 85 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Pasteurized Cultured Organic Whole Milk, Sea Salt, Organic Garlic, Organic Chives, Organic Parsley, Vegetarian Enzyme. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Garlic & Herb Jack”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||||
| 85 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Pasteurized Cultured Organic Whole Milk, Organic Red and Green Jalapenos, Sea Salt, Vegetarian Enzyme. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Jalapeño Jack”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||||
| 85 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Pasteurized Cultured Whole Milk, Sea Salt, Natural Smoke, Vegetarian Enzyme. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Smokehouse Jack”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||||
| 60 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK, SALT, MICROBIAL ENZYMES. Label checked 2026-10-18 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2425036 · data date 2022-12-22 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | ||||||||||
| 60 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Pasteurized Cultured Milk, Sea Salt, and Enzymes (Contains: Milk) Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 60 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients AMERICAN CHEESE (CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES [NON-ANIMAL]), CREAM, SODIUM CITRATE, SALT. MADE WITH VEGETABLE RENNET. Label checked 2026-10-20 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2289681 · data date 2022-05-23 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | ||||||||||
| 60 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients PASTEURIZED MILK, JALAPENO PEPPERS, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES (NON-ANIMAL). Label checked 2026-10-20 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 1908051 · data date 2021-07-29 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | ||||||||||
| 60 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients PASTEURIZED CULTURED MICROFILTERED MILK, WATER, SALT, MICROBIAL ENZYMES. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2385063 · data date 2022-12-22 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | ||||||||||
| 60 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients PASTEURIZED CULTURED MILK, SALT, MICROBIAL ENZYMES Label checked 2026-10-20 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2596557 · data date 2023-07-13 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | ||||||||||
| 60 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients CULTURED MILK AND SKIM MILK, CREAM, SODIUM CITRATE, SALT, COLOR ADDED, SORBIC ACID (PRESERVATIVE), ENZYMES, SOY LECITHIN (NON-STICKING AGENT). Label checked 2026-10-20 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2402657 · data date 2022-12-22 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | ||||||||||
| 60 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK, ENZYMES, SALT. Label checked 2026-10-20 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2080289 · data date 2021-10-28 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | ||||||||||
| 60 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT , ENZYMES AND ANNATTO (VEGETABLE COLOR), POTATO STARCH, CORN STARCH AND CALCIUM SULFATE ADDED TO PREVENT CAKING, NATAMYCIN (A NATURAL MOLD INHIBITOR) Label checked 2026-10-20 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2601997 · data date 2023-07-13 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | ||||||||||
How the clean score works
No setup needed, and strict: a full 100 needs every additive group clear and a verified organic claim (animal foods also need a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim; wild seafood and salt, which have no USDA organic standard, are scored without the organic points, and plant-based milks, cheeses and proteins without the feeding claim). Points: the nine additive groups (seed oils, artificial dyes, MSG, artificial sweeteners, carrageenan, artificial preservatives, hydrogenated oils, corn syrups, banned-abroad additives) share 60 points equally — not found earns a group’s full share, “may contain” earns half, listed earns 0; a verified organic claim is worth 25; a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim is worth 15 and counts only for animal foods. No claim, or an expired or unverified claim, earns nothing, so products without those claims cannot reach 100. Unverified or expired ingredient labels receive no score. Equal scores are equal. Ties are ordered by brand. Unknown and stale evidence never passes “Only show matches.” Producer claims and prices do not affect this score. This is not a nutrition, allergy, or safety rating.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying links do not influence ingredient results. “Buy on Amazon” opens a reviewed product listing; “Find where to buy” opens the maker’s page. Confirm the package, seller, stock, and current price before checkout. Price observations expire after 30 days.
The full guide · Dairy & eggs
Choosing cheese: what to check before you buy
Compare cheese within the style you want to cook with or eat: block, shredded, soft, sliced or processed. Check milk source, sodium and ingredients such as starches or emulsifying salts that serve different purposes.
Use equal weights when comparing portions and consider melting or grating performance for your recipe. Read the pasteurization and storage information; an ingredient score does not assess the safety of raw-milk cheese.
What the labels on this shelf show
We track 209 products from 85 brands on the cheese shelf. 175 have a complete, current ingredient label on record (84%), which is what lets us score them. The other 34 stay unscored until the maker publishes a full label; a missing label is “not yet”, never a pass.
Of the 175 scored labels, 145 (83%) list none of the nine additive groups we check. The group that appears most is carrageenan, listed on 19 labels, followed by artificial preservatives on 17. 11 scored products carry a verified organic claim, which adds points. Scores here run from 33 to 100, and the typical label lists 4 ingredients.
What to compare
- Style and use
- Compare block, shredded, soft and processed cheeses for the way you plan to use them.
- Portion and sodium
- Use equal weights when comparing nutrition.
- Recipe additions
- Check starches, anti-caking ingredients and emulsifying salts in the exact format.
- Milk and handling
- Read pasteurization and storage information; an ingredient result does not assess raw-milk safety.
The best picks, in detail
These are the highest-scoring cheese products on current labels. Always match the exact flavor and package before you buy.
Organic Valley Organic Grassmilk Raw Cheddar Cheese, Block 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, a verified organic claim, a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim. Label: “Organic Grass-Fed Cultured Milk, Sea Salt, Vegetarian Enzyme.”
Find where to buy ↗Maker’s label sourceOrganic Valley Organic Grassmilk Raw Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Block 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, a verified organic claim, a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim. Label: “Organic Grass-Fed Cultured Milk, Sea Salt, Vegetarian Enzyme.”
Find where to buy ↗Maker’s label sourceHorizon Organic Colby Organic Cheese Sticks 85/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, a verified organic claim. Label: “ORGANIC COLBY CHEESE (CULTURED PASTEURIZED ORGANIC MILK, SALT, ORGANIC ANNATTO [COLOR], MICROBIAL ENZYMES [NON-ANIMAL, RENNETLESS]).”
Maker’s label sourceHorizon Organic Monterey Jack Organic Shredded Cheese 85/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, a verified organic claim. Label: “ORGANIC MONTEREY JACK CHEESE (CULTURED PASTEURIZED ORGANIC MILK, SALT, MICROBIAL ENZYMES [NON-ANIMAL, RENNETLESS]), CELLULOSE (TO PREVENT CAKING).”
Maker’s label sourceOrganic Creamery Organic Monterey Jack Cheese 85/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, a verified organic claim. Label: “CULTURED PASTEURIZED ORGANIC MILK, SALT, ENZYMES.”
Maker’s label source
What to skip, and why
These scored products list at least one group on their current label. That is the clearest reason to pass if you are avoiding those ingredients.
- Yoder's Fat Free Cottage Cheese lists artificial dyes, carrageenan, artificial preservatives and banned-abroad additives (33/100)
- Borden Cottage Cheese lists artificial dyes, carrageenan, artificial preservatives and banned-abroad additives (33/100)
- Prairie Farms Cottage Cheese lists artificial dyes, carrageenan and artificial preservatives (40/100)
The 34 products without a verified label are a separate “not yet”: we have no recorded ingredient list to check, so we cannot say they are clean or flagged.
Your preferences, explained
The clean score is strict and needs no setup: nine additive groups not found in a current ingredient statement, plus a verified organic claim (and a grass-fed or pasture-raised claim for animal foods), are needed for 100; a possible match earns half and a missing claim earns nothing. Missing or expired evidence stays unknown. It does not assess nutrition, allergies, contaminants, or safety.
References
- 21 CFR Part 133: cheeses and related cheese products Code of Federal Regulations
- Raw milk misconceptions and the danger of raw milk consumption U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Dairy Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
- Sodium in your diet U.S. Food and Drug Administration
An ingredient check is not a nutrition, contaminant, allergy or safety assessment. How we verify labels →