Caputo Parmesan Cheese Topping — DUMP

Name: Caputo Parmesan Cheese Topping
Brand: Caputo

Munch or Dump rates Caputo Parmesan Cheese Topping by Caputo DUMP — score 20/90.

This isn't really parmesan. Half of it is a lab-built 'parmesan flavored topping' running on partially hydrogenated soybean oil (a trans fat), casein, modified starch and a stack of phosphate salts.

Why this verdict

Partially hydrogenated soybean oil - an artificial trans fat linked to heart disease
Cut with a synthetic 'parmesan flavored topping' of water, casein and modified starch
Three stacked phosphate salts (disodium, trisodium, sodium aluminum phosphate)
Powdered cellulose used as filler, plus calcium propionate preservative
NOVA 4 ultra-processed - far from real grated parmesan

Ingredients (16)

Parmesan cheese (pasteurized part-skim milk, culture, salt, enzymes) (safe) — Real aged parmesan - the one legitimately good part of this product.
Water (safe) — Dilutes the vinegar to a usable acidity. Inert.
Casein (moderate) — Isolated milk protein used to mimic cheese body cheaply.
MILK Protein (moderate) — More extracted protein to bulk out the fake-cheese matrix.
modified food starch (moderate) — Industrially processed starch used for texture; marker of ultra-processing.
PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN OIL (harmful) — Artificial trans fat - raises LDL, lowers HDL, strongly linked to heart disease. Should not be in food.
Whey (safe) — A milk-derived protein.
Salt (moderate) — Common seasoning but can contribute to high sodium intake.
Disodium phosphate (moderate) — Emulsifying salt; one of three phosphates stacked here, high phosphate intake stresses kidneys.
trisodium phosphate (moderate) — Another emulsifier/buffer; industrial additive adding to the phosphate stack.
Sodium aluminum phosphate (concerning) — Aluminum-containing emulsifier; a clear ultra-processed signal.
sodium citrate (safe) — pH buffer, used in small amounts.
citric acid (safe) — Acidity regulator for tartness; harmless but erosive to teeth in soda form.
Lactic Acid (safe) — Acidulant for tang.
calcium propionate (moderate) — Mold-inhibiting preservative; shelf-life chemistry.
POWDERED CELLULOSE (moderate) — Wood/plant fiber anti-caking agent — pure filler.