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EWG Overall Score Breakdown

The product score is based on weighted scores for nutrition, ingredient and processing concerns. Generally, nutrition counts most, ingredient concerns next and degree of processing least. The weighted scores are added together to determine the final score. Read more about scores here.

EWG Overall Score Breakdown


EWG scored on three factors: nutrition, ingredient concerns, and the degree of processing. Read the full scoring methodology.

Score
Lower concern
Higher concern
Lower concern
Higher concern
1
10

Read our full methodology

Nutrition Concern Details

Level

Considers calories, saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, sodium, protein, fiber and fruit, vegetable and nut content to differentiate between healthful and less healthful foods. For more information on nutrition concerns, read our full methodology.

Contains ingredients that may contribute small amounts of unhealthy artificial trans fats: Soy Bean Oil (Organic) [read more]

Contains a high level of saturated fat [read more]

Contains 27% of the Institute of Medicine's daily sodium (salt) recommendations based on adequate intake [read more]

Good source of naturally occurring calcium [read more]

Per gram, high in protein [read more]

The nutrition factors used for scoring Horizon Organic Cheddar Cheese & Pretzels
Positive factors
Fruit, vegetable, bean or nut content
Protein content
Fiber content
Omega-3 fatty acids
Negative factors
Calorie density
Sugar/low-calorie sweetener content
Sodium content
Saturated fat content
Trans fat content

Ingredient Concern Details

Level

Considers food additives, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and contaminants like mercury and BPA, which can affect human health and the environment. For more information on ingredient concerns, read methodology.

Certified organic product [read more]

Antibiotics not allowed in organic dairy production [read more]

This product has 1 ingredient with concerns:

Processing Concern Details

Level

Estimates how much the food has been processed. Considers many factors, chief among them, modification of individual ingredients from whole foods and number of artificial ingredients. For more information on processing concerns, read our full methodology.

Product has been classified as having moderate processing concerns

Products with moderate and high processing concerns generally have more artificial ingredients, more ingredients that have been significantly modified from whole foods, and more ingredients overall.

EWG's Top Findings

Certified organic product [read more]

Certified organic product

Certified organic food is produced without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and free of genetically engineered ingredients. Certified organic meat and dairy must also be produced without antibiotics and artificial growth promoters or hormones.

Contains food additives of lower concern

Antibiotics not allowed in organic dairy production [read more]

Antibiotics not allowed in organic dairy produc...

USDA organic standards prohibit the use of antibiotics in the production of organic dairy ingredients.

Contains ingredients that may contribute small amounts of unhealthy artificial trans fats: Soy Bean Oil (Organic) [read more]

Contains ingredients that may contribute small ...

Both refined oils and fully hydrogenated oils contain small amounts of unhealthy artificial trans fats and contribute to the total intake of trans fat in the diet (Biofortis 2014). Artificial trans fats are generated in refined oils when they are processed at high temperatures from the crude oil into a bland, odorless, colorless oil (Greyt 1999). A 2012 study conducted by FDA scientists estimated that refined oil contributes an average 0.6 grams of trans fat a day (Doell 2012). The World Health Organization recommends limits on trans fat of less than 1 to 2 grams a day—in this context, it’s easy to see that 0.6 grams is not an insignificant contribution. In the case of fully hydrogenated oils, they should theoretically be free of trans fat, but since no hydrogenation process is 100 percent efficient, trans fats are often found in fully hydrogenated oils at low levels (FDA 2013). The United States Department of Agriculture National Nutrition Database has tested refined, partially hydrogenated and fully hydrogenated oils and found trans fats in all of them (USDA 2013). Textbooks for food scientists reveal that the mono and di-glycerides and other emulsifiers are often made from hydrogenated fats (Hasenhuettl and Hartel 2008) and at temperatures above 220°C (Sikorski and Kolakowka 2011). Emulsifiers produced from hydrogenated fats “contain measurable concentrations" of trans fats (Hasenhuettl and Hartel 2008). Unfortunately, due to lack of label disclosure and the trans fat labeling loophole, only the food scientists will ever know just how much trans fat these refined oils and emulsifiers are contributing to foods and the American diet.

Does not contain artificial or industrial ingredients [read more]

Does not contain artificial or industrial ingre...

EWG has not identified any artificial or industrial ingredients in this product.

Contains a high level of saturated fat [read more]

Contains a high level of saturated fat

Saturated fat is not an essential nutrient and with increasing intakes there is a increased risk of coronary heart disease (IOM 2005a; USDA and DHHS 2010). For this reason it has long been known as a "bad" fat that raises the "bad" cholesterol, LDL. Numerous authoritative bodies support the recommendation to limit saturated fat to 10 percent of calories -- equivalent to a reasonable limit of 14 slices of bacon's worth of saturated fat a day (WHO 2002; USDA and DHHS 2010). A 2012 review by the Cochrane Collaboration, an independent non-profit organization, found that reducing or replacing saturated fat with other healthy fats reduced the risk of cardiovascular events by 14 percent (Hooper 2012). Other recent reviews have found that there in no evidence of a benefit from reducing saturated fat (Chowdhury 2014; Schwingshackl & Hoffmann 2014). While it's clear that we still have a lot to learn about how fats behave and contribute to disease, the evidence supporting a moderate level of saturated fat consumption remains strong and consistent.

Contains 27% of the Institute of Medicine's daily sodium (salt) recommendations based on adequate intake [read more]

Contains 27% of the Institute of Medicine's dai...

This product contains a high percentage of the Institute of Medicine's recommended adequate intake for sodium of 1500 mg a day (IOM 2005). This value is much lower than what the FDA requires be listed on food labels -- 2400 mg. Americans average 3,400 mg of sodium a day. Most of this sodium comes from processed foods where sodium is added to mask the lack of freshness by enhancing the flavor, texture or palatability and extending shelf-life (IOM 2010). Many of these uses are for the manufacturers benefit and not the consumer's health as excess sodium intake is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and kidney disease (IOM 2010).

Good source of naturally occurring calcium [read more]

Good source of naturally occurring calcium

Calcium is necessary for strong bones and decreasing the risk of osteoporosis and bone fracture. Calcium is also important for healthy muscles and nervous system function.

Per gram, high in protein [read more]

Per gram, high in protein

Protein is a source of amino acids that are required for the proper growth, maintenance and repair of tissues. It also provides the building blocks for important enzymes and hormones. Protein provides calories and if eaten in excess will be stored as fat. Protein is found in high amounts in beans, nuts, eggs, seafood and meat. Protein is essential to health, but eating too much also carries an environmental and health cost. Learn more: http://www.ewg.org/meateatersguide/

Product has been classified as having moderate processing concerns

Ingredient List

From the Package

ORGANIC CHEDDAR CHEESE (CULTURED PASTEURIZED ORGANIC MILK, SALT, ENZYMES [NON-ANIMAL, RENNETLESS]), ORGANIC PRETZELS (ORGANIC WHEAT FLOUR, ORGANIC MALT, SALT, ORGANIC SOYBEAN OIL).

*Older Product

Products remain in the database for two years after their label information is recorded in stores. A product with label information last recorded more than a year ago is marked with an * identifying it as an older product.

*Discontinued Product

Products remain in the Database for two years after their label information is recorded in stores, even when they have been discontinued (products may remain in stores and pantries long past the date they cease to be manufactured). EWG marks a product it is aware has been discontinued with a banner identifying it as such.

Product Images

Please note that EWG obtains the displayed images of products from third parties and that the product's manufacturer or packager may change the product's packaging at any point in time. Therefore, EWG assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of images presented.

Selected Certifications and Seals

USDA Organic

Other Information

This product is certified organic and, therefore, was produced without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and free of genetically engineered ingredients. [read more]

This product is certified organic and, therefor...

Certified organic food must be produced without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Genetically engineered ingredients are not allowed. Synthetic preservatives and artificial colors are not allowed in processed foods. Meat and dairy ingredients must be produced without antibiotics and artificial growth promoters or hormones.

Contains ingredients derived from wheat, milk or soybean - these are considered major food allergens according to the FDA [read more]

Contains ingredients derived from wheat, milk o...

While over 160 food ingredients may cause allergic reactions current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations stipulate that 8 major food allergens must be labeled on products. These allergens include; milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans. Note: The presence of potential allergens does not affect the overall product score.

Nutrition Facts

1.0 servings per container

Serving Size

1 CONTAINER

Amount Per 36 g
Calories
140

% Daily Value (based on a 2,000 calorie diet and adult bodyweight)
Update the values for someone:

QUICK FACTS:

11.0 11.0 % Total Fat 7 g
4.0 4.0 % Total Carbs 13 g
Sugars <1 g
8.0 8.0 % Protein 6 g

AVOID TOO MUCH:

20.0 20.0 % Saturated Fat 4 g
Trans Fat 0.0g
7.0 7.0 % Cholesterol 20 mg
17.0 17.0 % Sodium 400 mg
Added Sugar Ingredients: none listed

NUTRIENTS:

0.0 0.0 % Dietary Fiber 0 g
Vitamin D (no value on present label)
6.0 6.0 % Vitamin A
0.0 0.0 % Vitamin C
15.0 15.0 % Calcium
0.0 0.0 % Iron
Potassium (no value on present label)

† Institute of Medicine. 2010. "Dietary Reference Intakes Tables and Application." Accessed April 8, 2014: link

 

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