Why is Original classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The snack combines refined enriched wheat flour, blended vegetable oils, processed cheese and several industrial ingredients such as TBHQ for freshness, soy lecithin (E322), annatto extract for colour, and other emulsifiers, which together meet the criteria for a NOVA 4 ultra‑processed product.

How does the salt content in Original affect a hypertensive diet?

With about 1.9 g of salt per 100 g (≈0.76 g sodium), a standard serving contributes a significant portion of the recommended daily sodium limit, potentially raising blood pressure and should be limited for people with hypertension.

Based on the ingredients, is Original suitable for vegan, gluten‑free, or keto diets?

No, the product contains skim‑milk cheese, making it non‑vegan, includes wheat flour so it is not gluten‑free, and its high carbohydrate content (≈57 g per 100 g) exceeds typical keto limits.

Cheez-It • 1.5 oz, 42 g

Original

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Cheez‑It Original is a 1.5 oz (42 g) cheese‑flavored cracker marketed as a salty snack, falling under the “Sugary snacks” and “Biscuits and cakes” PNNS groups and containing wheat flour, enriched vitamins, vegetable oils, skim‑milk cheese and several additives. Nutritionally it is high in fat (≈26 g/100 g), saturated fat (≈6 g) and salt (≈1.9 g), low in sugars (0 g) and fiber (≈2.4 g), which results in a Nutri‑Score of E and a NOVA 4 ultra‑processed classification. The product also lists gluten, milk and soy allergens, carries an Eco‑Score of B despite its mixed‑plastic bag packaging, which is only partially recyclable.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

low

Salt

high

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal500 kcal

Iron3.3 mg

Comparative Analysis

Compared with average salty snacks, Original contains markedly more fat (26 g vs 17.6 g) and protein (9.5 g vs 6.3 g), virtually no sugars, slightly less salt (1.9 g vs 2.0 g), and delivers higher calories (500 kcal vs 418 kcal) per 100 g.

Ingredients

Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, vitamin b1 [thiamin mononitrate], vitamin b2 [riboflavin], folic acid), vegetable oil (high oleic soybean, soybean, palm, and/or canola oil with tbhq for freshness), cheese made with skim milk (skim milk, whey protein, salt, cheese cultures, enzymes, annatto extract color). contains 2% or less of salt, paprika, yeast, paprika extract color, soy lecithin.

84%

35%

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