McDonald's Cheddar — TREAT

Munch or Dump rates McDonald's Cheddar by McDonald's TREAT — score 43/90.

It's called 'Cheddar' but it's a processed cheese slice that's 60% actual cheese and 40% water, milk powder, and melting salts. To McDonald's credit, the additives are mild — citrates instead of phosphates, natural colors instead of dyes. Real dairy indulgence, engineered strictly for the melt.

Why this verdict

• Only 60% real cheese (51% cheddar + 9% other) — the rest is water, skimmed milk powder, butter, and milk proteins reassembled into a slice
• Melting salts E331 (sodium citrate) and E330 (citric acid) are the mildest emulsifying option — no phosphate salts, which is better than most US-style processed cheese
• Colors are beta carotene and paprika extract — natural, not artificial dyes
• Unspecified 'natural flavors' plus lecithin means this is formulated dairy, not just cheese
• High saturated fat and salt — indulgent by nature, so it lands as a TREAT rather than everyday food

Ingredients (12)

• Cheddar (51%) (moderate) — Real fermented cow's-milk cheese and the dominant ingredient; nutritious but heavy in saturated fat and salt.
• Water (safe) — Used as a basic ingredient in bread.
• Cheese (9%) (moderate) — Additional real cheese boosting the dairy base.
• Skimmed Milk Powder (safe) — Milk solids in the fillings.
• BUTTER (safe) — Real dairy butter, though a minor part of the fat.
• milk proteins (safe) — Small amount of dairy protein.
• Melting salts (E331 sodium citrate, E330 citric acid) (moderate) — Emulsifying salts that let processed cheese melt smoothly and re-set; the hallmark of a processed slice and a source of added sodium.
• Natural Flavors (safe) — Flavor compounds derived from natural sources.
• Salt (moderate) — Used in moderation, might exceed necessary amount.
• beta carotene color (safe) — Natural orange-yellow color.
• Paprika extract (color) (safe) — Natural coloring, not a synthetic dye.
• Sunflower lecithin (anti-caking/emulsifier) (moderate) — Emulsifier that keeps the processed cheese smooth and stable; benign but signals industrial formulation.