Food Quality Guideby KarbCoach

Food Quality Guide by KarbCoach

Great Value 4% Small Curd Cottage Cheese, 24 Oz Tub: Food Integrity analysis

Updated 2026-08-22 · Great Value

Quick answer

Mixed integrity

Great Value 4% small curd cottage cheese, 24 oz tub received a Food Integrity Score of 70 out of 100 (mixed integrity). This reflects moderately processed and high additive load. This cottage cheese includes some processing aids like stabilizers and preservatives, which hint at ultra-processed formulation. While it contains familiar ingredients like milk and cream, the presence of additives like guar gum and carrageenan makes it less ideal for those seeking whole-food options. Consuming occasionally may be fine, but a simpler version could be a better daily option. Main considerations include additive load and ingredient concern. Opt for cottage cheese with milk, cream, and salt.

Food Integrity Score 70/100

What stood out on the label?

  • Moderately processed
  • High additive load
  • Transparency: High

What to watch?

  • Additive load
  • Ingredient concern

Simpler options to consider

  • Opt for cottage cheese with milk, cream, and salt

You are viewing ingredients and processing. Switch to Longevity for nutrition and longer-term eating pattern fit.

Source data, GTIN, and Food Quality Guide analysis details

Product facts

Product
Great Value 4% Small Curd Cottage Cheese, 24 Oz Tub
Category
Dairy (source: Milk/Milk Substitutes)
GTIN / UPC
00078742372365
Serving size
113 g
Source data — ingredients
Ingredient list from product label data (see Sources)
Food Quality Guide analysis
Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards. See methodology under Sources.
Data last verified

Food Integrity results

4% Small Curd Cottage Cheese, 24 Oz Tub

Great Value

Mixed integrity

Warning Signs

Watch out for guar gum and carrageenan stabilizers in this cottage cheese.

Consider This

The inclusion of additives like potassium sorbate and citric acid suggests some factory formulation.

Good Substitutes

Opt for simple cottage cheese with just milk, cream, and salt for a cleaner choice.

Overall Assessment

Mixed integrity

This cottage cheese includes some processing aids like stabilizers and preservatives, which hint at ultra-processed formulation. While it contains familiar ingredients like milk and cream, the presence of additives like guar gum and carrageenan makes it less ideal for those seeking whole-food options. Consuming occasionally may be fine, but a simpler version could be a better daily option.

Key Highlights

What stood out

  • Additive load
  • Ingredient concern

Family Watchlist

Ingredients some users may personally want to know about.

  • STABILIZER (GUAR GUM, MONO-AND DIGLYCERIDES, XANTHAN GUM, CARRAGEENAN, CAROB BEAN GUM) — Emulsifiers and gums
  • CARBON DIOXIDE AND POTASSIUM SORBATE (MAINTAIN FRESHNESS) — Preservative use

Highest concern ingredients

  • STABILIZER (GUAR GUM, MONO-AND DIGLYCERIDES, XANTHAN GUM, CARRAGEENAN, CAROB BEAN GUM) (6/10) — Additive load

Better choice tips

  • Opt for cottage cheese with milk, cream, and salt.

Ingredients

Ingredient list

Ingredients SKIM MILK, MILK, CREAM, LACTOSE, SALT, STABILIZER (GUAR GUM, MONO-AND DIGLYCERIDES, XANTHAN GUM, CARRAGEENAN, CAROB BEAN GUM), CITRIC ACID, CARBON DIOXIDE AND POTASSIUM SORBATE (MAINTAIN FRESHNESS), CHEESE CULTURES.

Formulations can vary — check the package label for the final word.

Highest-concern ingredients first. Expand an item for notes.

  1. STABILIZER (GUAR GUM, MONO-AND DIGLYCERIDES, XANTHAN GUM, CARRAGEENAN, CAROB BEAN GUM)Concern 6/10 — Moderate concernEmulsifierWatchlist · Additive · Vague label term

    What this is

    Emulsifier

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Used for texture, raises additive concerns.

    Additional note

    Stabilizer mix with controversial additives

    Family watchlist

    Emulsifiers and gums

  2. CARBON DIOXIDE AND POTASSIUM SORBATE (MAINTAIN FRESHNESS)Concern 5/10 — Moderate concernPreservativeWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Preservative

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Helps prolong shelf life, controversially additive.

    Additional note

    Preservative system for freshness

    Family watchlist

    Preservative use

  3. CITRIC ACIDConcern 2/10 — Very low concernAcidulantAdditive

    What this is

    Acidulant

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    Used for acidity, low concern.

    Additional note

    Common acidulant

  4. LACTOSEConcern 1/10 — Very low concernNatural sugar

    What this is

    Natural sugar

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    Normal milk sugar, mildly refined.

    Additional note

    Refined sugar component

View all 9 ingredient assessments
  1. SKIM MILKConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Minimal processing, expected ingredient.

    Additional note

    Whole food, low concern

  2. MILKConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Minimal processing, expected ingredient.

    Additional note

    Whole food, low concern

  3. CREAMConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Minimal processing, expected ingredient.

    Additional note

    Whole food, low concern

  4. SALTConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Common seasoning, low concern.

    Additional note

    Simple natural ingredient

  5. CHEESE CULTURESConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernStarter cultures

    What this is

    Starter cultures

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Natural process, traditional use.

    Additional note

    Natural fermentation aid

This score reflects the ingredient list and processing concerns, not a medical evaluation. Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions.

How this product may fit different goals

The same food can look different depending on what matters most to you. Here is a general preview of how this product may align with several common goals.

  • Heart-Healthy Eating

    Watch-outs

    Metabolic Health

    For someone prioritizing Heart-Healthy Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.

    A consideration: Ingredients often higher in saturated fat (Mentions "cheese". See ingredients for details.)

    This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.

    See more for this goal

  • Vegan

    Watch-outs

    Dietary Patterns

    For someone prioritizing Vegan, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.

    A consideration: Animal-derived ingredients (Mentions "milk", "cream", "cheese". See ingredients for details.)

    See more for this goal

  • Plant-Based

    Watch-outs

    Dietary Patterns

    For someone prioritizing Plant-Based, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.

    A consideration: Animal-derived ingredients (Mentions "milk", "cream", "cheese". See ingredients for details.)

    See more for this goal

  • Minimally Processed Eating

    Watch-outs

    Dietary Patterns

    For someone prioritizing Minimally Processed Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.

    A consideration: Higher additive load (High additive load)

    This product has 2 additional signals for this goal.

    See more for this goal

  • Whole-Food Focused Eating

    Watch-outs

    Dietary Patterns

    For someone prioritizing Whole-Food Focused Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.

    A consideration: Higher additive load (High additive load)

    This product has 2 additional signals for this goal.

    See more for this goal

  • Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods

    Watch-outs

    Dietary Patterns

    For someone prioritizing Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.

    A consideration: Higher additive load (High additive load)

    This product has 2 additional signals for this goal.

    See more for this goal

See how this product fits your goals

Choose what matters most to you and explore a more detailed interpretation of this product's nutrition, ingredients, and tradeoffs.

Personalize this analysis

Understanding the Food Integrity analysis

What the Food Integrity analysis evaluates

The Food Integrity analysis focuses on how a packaged food is formulated and made. It examines processing level, ingredient quality, additives, oils, sweeteners, purity cues, and how clearly a label communicates what is in the product. The Food Integrity Score summarizes that formulation and transparency picture on a 0–100 scale. It is not a full nutrient report and it is not a personalized meal plan.

Why processing, ingredients, and transparency matter

Processing level and ingredient quality shape what you are actually eating beyond calories on the label. Additives, industrial oils, and intense sweeteners can change how clean or heavily engineered a product feels, even when the front of pack looks wholesome. Purity and transparency matter because incomplete or marketing-heavy labeling can hide tradeoffs that only show up when the full ingredient list is reviewed carefully.

Who may prioritize Food Integrity

Some people care mainly about Food Integrity because their dietary goals center on formulation rather than macros alone. Examples include checking vegetarian or vegan suitability, preferring simpler ingredient sources, avoiding certain additives or sweeteners, watching oil choices, or preferring less processed options. For those priorities, the Food Integrity Score can be the more practical first read.

How Food Integrity differs from Longevity

Food Integrity is the focused analysis of processing, ingredients, additives, purity, and transparency. Longevity is the broader analysis of nutritional composition, metabolic and dietary characteristics, processing, and ingredient quality together. Favorable nutrition values do not necessarily mean strong Food Integrity: a product can look balanced on macros yet still rely on heavy processing or additives that the Food Integrity analysis flags in more detail.

Why the two analyses overlap—and why to review Longevity too

The analyses overlap intentionally. Food Integrity–related characteristics contribute to Longevity, and Longevity still benefits from the same ingredient-quality lens. They are not competing verdicts; they answer different questions at different depths. Reviewing the Longevity analysis can add information about nutritional composition, metabolic characteristics, and dietary balance that Food Integrity alone does not emphasize. Looking at both usually gives the most complete understanding of tradeoffs.

Common questions about this product

Is Great Value 4% Small Curd Cottage Cheese, 24 Oz Tub highly processed?

Food Integrity lists processing level as Moderately processed. That reflects formulation and processing signals from the ingredient analysis — not a medical or regulatory classification.

Why are the Longevity and Food Integrity scores different?

Longevity emphasizes nutrition per serving and longer-term dietary alignment. Food Integrity emphasizes ingredients, additives, processing, and label transparency. The same product can score differently on those lenses.

How much fiber is in one serving?

Great Value 4% Small Curd Cottage Cheese, 24 Oz Tub shows about 0g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.

Does it contain added sugar?

Great Value 4% Small Curd Cottage Cheese, 24 Oz Tub: 0g added sugar per serving. Confirm the current package Nutrition Facts and ingredient list.

What helped the Longevity Score?

Key positives called out in the analysis include: High in protein; Low in sugar.

What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?

Key concerns noted include: Contains stabilizers; Moderate sodium level.

Who might evaluate this product differently?

People prioritizing different goals (for example lower carbs, higher protein, or minimally processed eating) may weigh the same dairy differently. Use the goal preview on this page, then personalize in KarbCoach for your priorities.

Other published analyses in Dairy, selected from the same Food Quality Guide catalog.

Source data and Food Quality Guide analysis

  1. Public label databases (including USDA FoodData Central and Open Food Facts) — Possible sources for package ingredients and nutrition.
  2. Food Quality Guide analysis (Longevity and Food Integrity) — Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards.
  3. How the Longevity Score is calculated
  4. How the Food Integrity Score is calculated
  5. Scoring models: KarbCoach Longevity and Food Integrity.
  6. Independent analysis. No manufacturer affiliation.
  7. Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions. Full sources and safety details.
Label accuracy and safety information

Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions.

Sources, citations & safety

See how this item lines up with your goals

Food Quality Guide covers this product in detail. In KarbCoach, your goals shape what matters most for your meals.

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