Healthy Food Guideby KarbCoach

Healthy Food Guide by KarbCoach

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Colors Cheddar Cheese Crackers: Food Integrity analysis

Updated 2026-10-17 · Pepperidge Farm

Quick answer

Mixed integrity

Pepperidge Farm goldfish colors cheddar cheese crackers received a Food Integrity Score of 63 out of 100 (mixed integrity). This reflects moderately processed and moderate additive load. This is a recognizable cheese cracker built on enriched flour, cheddar, and oils, but the extra flavor and color systems push it toward a more engineered profile. It works better as an occasional snack than an everyday staple. The main reasons are the refined flour base, vegetable oil blend, and multiple color and flavor helpers. Main considerations include refined enriched flour base, multiple refined vegetable oils, and vague spice category and color additives. Simpler options: Look for crackers with fewer refined oils and no added colors; choose options with whole grain flour and simpler seasonings.

Food Integrity Score 63/100

What stood out on the label?

  • Moderately processed
  • Moderate additive load
  • Transparency: High

What to watch?

  • Refined enriched flour base
  • Multiple refined vegetable oils
  • Vague spice category and color additives

Simpler options to consider

  • Look for crackers with fewer refined oils and no added colors
  • Choose options with whole grain flour and simpler seasonings

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 Colors Cheddar Cheese Crackers
Category
Snacks (source: Biscuits/Cookies)
GTIN / UPC
00014100096566
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 Colors Cheddar Cheese Crackers

Pepperidge Farm

Mixed integrity

Warning Signs

Enriched wheat flour, canola and soybean oils, and yeast extract add refined inputs that shape this snack's texture and taste.

Consider This

Colors from beet, huito, watermelon, paprika, and turmeric plus autolyzed yeast extract suggest flavor and color engineering beyond a basic cracker.

Good Substitutes

Try baked crackers made with whole wheat flour, real cheddar, olive oil, and salt, with no added colors or yeast extract.

Overall Assessment

Mixed integrity

This is a recognizable cheese cracker built on enriched flour, cheddar, and oils, but the extra flavor and color systems push it toward a more engineered profile. It works better as an occasional snack than an everyday staple. The main reasons are the refined flour base, vegetable oil blend, and multiple color and flavor helpers.

Key Highlights

What stood out

  • Refined enriched flour base
  • Multiple refined vegetable oils
  • Vague spice category and color additives

Family Watchlist

Ingredients some users may personally want to know about.

  • Canola oil — Refined seed oil
  • Sunflower oil — Refined seed oil
  • Soybean oil — Refined seed oil
  • Autolyzed yeast extract — Processed flavor ingredient
  • Spices — Vague spice category
  • Monocalcium phosphate — Functional leavening additive

Highest concern ingredients

  • Autolyzed yeast extract (7/10) — Processed flavor ingredient.
  • Canola oil (6/10) — Refined seed oil.
  • Monocalcium phosphate (6/10) — Functional leavening additive.

Better choice tips

  • Look for crackers with fewer refined oils and no added colors.
  • Choose options with whole grain flour and simpler seasonings.

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 OILS (CANOLA, SUNFLOWER AND/OR SOYBEAN), SALT, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: YEAST, SUGAR, AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT, SPICES, CELERY, ONION POWDER, MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE, BAKING SODA, COLORS (BEET, HUITO AND WATERMELON JUICE CONCENTRATES; PAPRIKA AND TURMERIC EXTRACTS). CONTAINS: WHEAT, MILK.

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

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

  1. Autolyzed yeast extractConcern 7/10 — Higher concernFlavor systemWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Flavor system

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Processing

    Why it matters

    Processed flavor ingredient used to build savory taste.

    Additional note

    Processed yeast extract often used for savory flavor.

    Family watchlist

    Processed flavor ingredient.

  2. Canola oilConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernRefined oilWatchlist

    What this is

    Refined oil

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Refined seed oils are a common watchlist item for many users.

    Additional note

    Refined seed oil used as a fat source.

    Family watchlist

    Refined seed oil.

  3. Sunflower oilConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernRefined oilWatchlist

    What this is

    Refined oil

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Refined seed oils are a common watchlist item for many users.

    Additional note

    Refined seed oil used in the oil blend.

    Family watchlist

    Refined seed oil.

  4. Soybean oilConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernRefined oilWatchlist

    What this is

    Refined oil

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Refined seed oils are a common watchlist item for many users.

    Additional note

    Refined seed oil listed as an optional oil in the blend.

    Family watchlist

    Refined seed oil.

View all 20 ingredient assessments
  1. SpicesConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernVague ingredientWatchlist · Vague label term

    What this is

    Vague ingredient

    Processing category

    Unknown / not listed

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Broad category makes exact contents unclear.

    Additional note

    Broad spice category with no specific sources named.

    Family watchlist

    Vague spice category.

  2. Monocalcium phosphateConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernLeavening agentWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Leavening agent

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Functional leavening additive used to control rise and texture.

    Additional note

    Leavening acid used in baked goods.

    Family watchlist

    Functional leavening additive.

  3. Enriched wheat flourConcern 4/10 — Mild concernRefined flour

    What this is

    Refined flour

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Processing

    Why it matters

    Refined grain base with enrichment, common but more processed than whole grain.

    Additional note

    Refined wheat flour with added B vitamins and iron.

  4. Beet juice concentrateConcern 4/10 — Mild concernColor additiveAdditive

    What this is

    Color additive

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Concentrated juice used primarily for color in the product.

    Additional note

    Concentrated juice used for red color.

  5. Huito juice concentrateConcern 4/10 — Mild concernColor additiveAdditive

    What this is

    Color additive

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Concentrated juice used primarily for color in the product.

    Additional note

    Concentrated fruit juice used for color.

  6. Watermelon juice concentrateConcern 4/10 — Mild concernColor additiveAdditive

    What this is

    Color additive

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Concentrated juice used primarily for color in the product.

    Additional note

    Concentrated juice used for color.

  7. AnnattoConcern 3/10 — Mild concernColor additiveAdditive

    What this is

    Color additive

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Added for color rather than as a core food ingredient.

    Additional note

    Plant-derived coloring used to tint the cheese.

  8. SugarConcern 3/10 — Mild concernSweetener

    What this is

    Sweetener

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    Refined sugar in a minor amount; label shows 0 g sugar per serving.

    Additional note

    Refined sweetener in a small amount.

  9. Paprika extractConcern 3/10 — Mild concernColor additiveAdditive

    What this is

    Color additive

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Extracted coloring rather than a whole spice.

    Additional note

    Extracted color from paprika.

  10. Turmeric extractConcern 3/10 — Mild concernColor additiveAdditive

    What this is

    Color additive

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Extracted coloring rather than a whole spice.

    Additional note

    Extracted color from turmeric.

  11. YeastConcern 2/10 — Very low concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Processed

    Why it matters

    Common fermentation ingredient with mild processing context.

    Additional note

    Leavening or flavor yeast, listed among minor ingredients.

  12. Onion powderConcern 2/10 — Very low concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Processed

    Why it matters

    Recognizable dried vegetable with light processing.

    Additional note

    Dried onion used for savory flavor.

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

    What this is

    Leavening agent

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Why it matters

    Common baking ingredient with a simple leavening role.

    Additional note

    Leavening agent used in baking.

  14. Cheddar cheeseConcern 1/10 — Very low concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Recognizable dairy ingredient with simple culture and enzyme inputs.

    Additional note

    Cheese made from cultured milk, salt, and enzymes.

  15. CeleryConcern 1/10 — Very low concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Recognizable vegetable ingredient in a small amount.

    Additional note

    Listed as a celery-derived flavor component.

  16. SaltConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Simple seasoning with no added complexity.

    Additional note

    Basic seasoning salt.

This Food Integrity score estimates how close a food's ingredient profile is to simple, recognizable, high-integrity ingredients. 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.

  • 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

  • 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: Family watchlist items (Canola oil)

    This product has 1 additional signal 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 Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Colors Cheddar Cheese 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 Colors Cheddar Cheese Crackers shows about 0.99g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.

Does it contain added sugar?

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

What helped the Longevity Score?

Key positives called out in the analysis include: Contains real cheddar cheese; Small 30 g serving size; Some protein from cheese and wheat.

What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?

Key concerns noted include: Refined enriched wheat flour base; Seed oils (canola, sunflower, soybean); Artificial colors from fruit and vegetable concentrates.

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.

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