Why is Low Fat Cottage Cheese classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The product is labeled NOVA 4 because, in addition to cultured milk, it includes several non‑nutritional ingredients such as a stabilizer blend (nonfat milk, locust bean gum, agar), vitamin A palmitate, and carbon dioxide, all of which are considered processing aids that move the product into the ultra‑processed category.

How does the sugar and salt content in Low Fat Cottage Cheese affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 3.5 g of sugars per 100 g, the cheese can raise blood glucose levels and should be consumed cautiously by people with diabetes, while its 0.71 g of salt per 100 g is modest and lower than many cheeses, making it a reasonable choice for those monitoring sodium but still needing to account for total daily intake.

Is the milk in Low Fat Cottage Cheese a concern for people with lactose intolerance or milk allergy?

Yes; the ingredient list includes cultured pasteurized nonfat milk, regular pasteurized milk, and cream, all of which contain lactose and are listed as a milk allergen, so individuals with lactose intolerance or a milk allergy should avoid this product.

Trader Joe's • 32 oz

Small Curd Low Fat Cottage Cheese

Milk And Dairy Products

Product Insights

Low Fat Cottage Cheese is a fresh cheese belonging to the Milk and Dairy products and Cheese groups. It carries a Nutri‑Score of B, reflecting a relatively good overall nutrient balance, but it is classified as NOVA 4, indicating an ultra‑processed product due to added stabilizers and carbon dioxide. Per 100 g it offers about 12 g of protein and 1.8 g of fat with low salt, yet it contains 3.5 g of sugars and several additives, so consumers should weigh its protein benefits against the added sugars and processing.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal80 kcal

Iron0.1 mg

Phosphorus168.1 mg

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average cheese (25 g fat, 15 g saturated fat, 3.3 g salt, 1.8 g sugars per 100 g), this low‑fat cottage cheese delivers roughly 1.8 g fat, 0.9 g saturated fat and 0.7 g salt, far below the averages, yet its 3.5 g sugars are about double the typical level.

Ingredients

cultured pasteurized nonfat milk, pasteurized milk, pasteurized cream, salt, stabilizer (nonfat milk, locust bean gum, agar), vitamin a palmitate, carbon dioxide

84%

35%

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Small Curd Low Fat Cottage Cheese.

Trader Joe's

16 oz