Healthy Food Guideby KarbCoach

Healthy Food Guide by KarbCoach

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Cheddar Crackers: Food Integrity analysis

Updated 2026-10-17 · Pepperidge Farm

Quick answer

Mixed integrity

Pepperidge Farm goldfish cheddar crackers received a Food Integrity Score of 63 out of 100 (mixed integrity). This reflects moderately processed and moderate additive load. This is a familiar, widely eaten snack that reads as moderately engineered rather than simple. The cheddar and wheat base are recognizable, but the refined flour, blended seed oils, and yeast extract and spice systems add formulation layers. Best treated as an occasional snack rather than a daily staple. Main considerations include refined enriched wheat flour base, blended refined seed oils, and vague spices and yeast extract flavor systems. Simpler options: Look for baked crackers made with whole grain flour and a named single oil like olive or avocado; choose versions with real cheese and simpler seasonings without yeast extract.

Food Integrity Score 63/100

What stood out on the label?

  • Moderately processed
  • Moderate additive load
  • Transparency: Medium

What to watch?

  • Refined enriched wheat flour base
  • Blended refined seed oils
  • Vague spices and yeast extract flavor systems

Simpler options to consider

  • Look for baked crackers made with whole grain flour and a named single oil like olive or avocado
  • Choose versions with real cheese and simpler seasonings without yeast extract

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

Source data, GTIN, and Healthy Food Guide analysis details

Product facts

Product
Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Cheddar Crackers
Category
Snacks (source: Biscuits/Cookies)
GTIN / UPC
00014100085478
Serving size
30 g
Source data — ingredients
Ingredient list from product label data (see Sources)
Healthy Food Guide analysis
Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards. See methodology under Sources.
Data last verified

Food Integrity results

Goldfish Cheddar Crackers

Pepperidge Farm

Mixed integrity

Warning Signs

Refined enriched wheat flour and canola/soybean/sunflower vegetable oil form the bulk of this snack, with vague spices and autolyzed yeast extract adding flavor work.

Consider This

Enriched flour, blended vegetable oils, and monocalcium phosphate and baking soda leavening point toward a factory-formulated cracker rather than a simple kitchen recipe.

Good Substitutes

Try baked crackers with whole wheat flour, olive or avocado oil, and real cheddar with simple seasoning like salt and paprika.

Overall Assessment

Mixed integrity

This is a familiar, widely eaten snack that reads as moderately engineered rather than simple. The cheddar and wheat base are recognizable, but the refined flour, blended seed oils, and yeast extract and spice systems add formulation layers. Best treated as an occasional snack rather than a daily staple.

Key Highlights

What stood out

  • Refined enriched wheat flour base
  • Blended refined seed oils
  • Vague spices and yeast extract flavor systems

Family Watchlist

Ingredients some users may personally want to know about.

  • Vegetable oil (canola, soybean and/or sunflower) — Refined seed oil blend with unspecified mix
  • Autolyzed yeast extract — Processed flavor-enhancing extract
  • Spices — Broad, unspecified spice category
  • Sugar — Refined sweetener

Highest concern ingredients

  • Vegetable oil (canola, soybean and/or sunflower) (6/10) — Refined seed oil blend with unspecified sourcing mix.
  • Autolyzed yeast extract (6/10) — Processed flavor-enhancing yeast extract.
  • Spices (5/10) — Broad spice category with unnamed components.

Better choice tips

  • Look for baked crackers made with whole grain flour and a named single oil like olive or avocado.
  • Choose versions with real cheese and simpler seasonings without yeast extract.

Ingredients

Ingredient list

MADE WITH SMILES AND ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), CHEDDAR CHEESE ([CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES], ANNATTO), VEGETABLE OIL (CANOLA, SOYBEAN AND/OR SUNFLOWER), SALT, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: YEAST, SUGAR, AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT, PAPRIKA, SPICES, CELERY, ONION POWDER, MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE, BAKING SODA. CONTAINS: WHEAT, MILK.

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

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

  1. Vegetable oil (canola, soybean and/or sunflower)Concern 6/10 — Moderate concernRefined oilWatchlist · Vague label term

    What this is

    Refined oil

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Refined seed oil blends are a common watchlist item for many users.

    Additional note

    Refined seed oil blend; source varies and is not specified.

    Family watchlist

    Refined seed oil blend with unspecified mix.

  2. Autolyzed yeast extractConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernFlavor enhancerWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Flavor enhancer

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Yeast extracts are flavor-engineering inputs many users want flagged.

    Additional note

    Processed yeast extract used for savory flavor.

    Family watchlist

    Processed flavor-enhancing extract.

  3. SpicesConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernVague ingredientWatchlist · Vague label term

    What this is

    Vague ingredient

    Processing category

    Unknown / not listed

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Unnamed spice blends can hide flavor systems and are hard to fully verify.

    Additional note

    Broad spice category; specific spices not named.

    Family watchlist

    Broad, unspecified spice category.

  4. Monocalcium phosphateConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernLeavening agentAdditive

    What this is

    Leavening agent

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Leavening acid used for texture and rise is a formulation helper.

    Additional note

    Leavening acid used to help dough rise.

View all 13 ingredient assessments
  1. Made with smiles and enriched wheat flour (flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)Concern 4/10 — Mild concernRefined flour

    What this is

    Refined flour

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Processing

    Why it matters

    Refined flour with added nutrients is common but more processed than whole grain.

    Additional note

    Refined wheat flour with vitamin and mineral enrichment added.

  2. SugarConcern 3/10 — Mild concernSweetenerWatchlist

    What this is

    Sweetener

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    Refined sweetener present in small amount.

    Additional note

    Refined sugar in small amount.

    Family watchlist

    Refined sweetener listed.

  3. Cheddar cheese ([cultured milk, salt, enzymes], annatto)Concern 2/10 — Very low concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Processing

    Why it matters

    Recognizable dairy with a color added for appearance.

    Additional note

    Real cheese with annatto coloring; simple cultured dairy base.

  4. Baking sodaConcern 2/10 — Very low concernLeavening agent

    What this is

    Leavening agent

    Processing category

    Processed

    Why it matters

    Traditional baking ingredient with low concern.

    Additional note

    Common leavening agent used in small amount.

  5. Contains 2% or less of: yeastConcern 1/10 — Very low concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Why it matters

    Common baking ingredient used in small quantity.

    Additional note

    Leavening yeast in a small amount.

  6. PaprikaConcern 1/10 — Very low concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Recognizable spice with minimal processing.

    Additional note

    Ground spice, simple ingredient.

  7. CeleryConcern 1/10 — Very low concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Recognizable vegetable used in small amount.

    Additional note

    Vegetable powder used for flavor.

  8. Onion powderConcern 1/10 — Very low concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Recognizable dried vegetable with minimal processing.

    Additional note

    Dried onion powder for flavor.

  9. SaltConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Simple seasoning with no meaningful concern.

    Additional note

    Basic seasoning salt.

This Food Integrity score estimates how close a food appears to a simple, recognizable ingredient profile. It is not a medical safety rating. 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.

  • Low Sugar Lifestyle

    Watch-outs

    Metabolic Health

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

    A consideration: Sweetener/sugar on watchlist (see Food Integrity)

    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", "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", "cheese". See ingredients for details.)

    See more for this goal

  • Low-Carb Lifestyle

    Watch-outs

    Dietary Patterns

    For someone prioritizing Low-Carb Lifestyle, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.

    A consideration: Carb-dense ingredients (Mentions "flour", "wheat flour", "sugar". See ingredients for details.)

    See more for this goal

  • Keto-Style Eating

    Watch-outs

    Dietary Patterns

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

    A consideration: Carb-dense ingredients (Mentions "flour", "wheat flour", "sugar". See ingredients for details.)

    See more for this goal

  • Low Gluten Eating

    Watch-outs

    Dietary Patterns

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

    A consideration: Gluten-related ingredients (Mentions "wheat". See ingredients for details.)

    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 Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Cheddar Crackers 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?

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Cheddar Crackers shows about 0.99g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.

Does it contain added sugar?

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Cheddar Crackers: 0g added sugar per serving; sweetener signals include sugar (≤2%). Confirm the current package Nutrition Facts and ingredient list.

What helped the Longevity Score?

Key positives called out in the analysis include: Low added sugar per serving; Contains real cheddar cheese; Moderate portion calories.

What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?

Key concerns noted include: Refined enriched wheat flour base; Canola/soybean/sunflower oil blend; Low fiber and limited protein.

Who might evaluate this product differently?

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

Other published analyses in Snacks, selected from the same Healthy Food Guide catalog.

Source data and Healthy Food Guide analysis

  1. Public label databases (including USDA FoodData Central and Open Food Facts) — Possible sources for package ingredients and nutrition.
  2. Healthy Food 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

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

Set your goals in KarbCoach

Also available in the app

Download on the App StoreGet it onGoogle Play