Wegmans Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 8 oz — OKAY

Munch or Dump rates Wegmans Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 8 oz by Wegmans OKAY — score 58/90.

At its core this is real cheddar: milk, culture, salt, enzymes. Being pre-shredded adds a small stack of coatings, potato starch plus powdered cellulose to keep it loose, and annatto for the orange color. All benign, but they nudge it out of clean-MUNCH territory.

Why this verdict

• Real cheddar base of pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, and enzymes
• Annatto is a natural plant color, not an artificial dye
• Two anti-caking additives (potato starch and powdered cellulose) mark it as a convenience shred
• No artificial flavors, preservatives, or flavor enhancers
• Full-fat and salty, so portion it rather than pour it

Ingredients (7)

• pasteurized milk (safe) — Whole-food dairy base of any real cheese.
• Cheese Culture] (safe) — Beneficial bacteria that ferment the milk into cheese.
• Salt (moderate) — Used in moderation, might exceed necessary amount.
• enzymes (safe) — Microbial rennet that coagulates the milk. Standard and harmless; also makes this vegetarian-friendly.
• Annatto (vegetable color) (safe) — A natural seed-derived color, not an artificial dye.
• potato starch (safe) — Anti-caking agent to keep shreds separate.
• POWDERED CELLULOSE (moderate) — Added fiber, usually from plant sources, might be excessive here.