Cached · 11/3/2026

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Generic / Typical US brands (e.g., Sargento, Frigo Cheese Heads, Kraft) · dairy

String Cheese

Name: String Cheese (Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese Stick)
Brand: Generic / Typical US brands (e.g., Sargento, Frigo Cheese Heads, Kraft)

A simple, protein-rich cheese snack with short ingredient list; the main watch-outs are sodium and saturated fat, not additives.

VeganVegetarianGluten-FreeDairy-FreeNut-FreePalm Oil-Free

score

/ 100

Ingredient Breakdown

0 red · 2 amber · 4 green

Calories

approx. 280 kcal per 100g (about 80 kcal per 28g stick)

Serving

1 stick (about 28g)

Sugar

0-1g per stick (about 0-1% of daily value), naturally occurring lactose

Sat. Fat

about 3g per stick (about 15% of daily value)

Contains milk: not suitable for people with milk allergy.

Contains lactose in small amounts; generally well tolerated by many lactose-intolerant people, but not all.

Sodium and saturated fat can add up if you eat several sticks a day.

Some brands may use animal-derived rennet, so check the label if you follow a vegetarian diet.

Ingredient lists vary by brand; always check the specific package.

Full Analysis

Ingredients (6)

Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk

aka Milk

Milk is the base of the cheese and supplies high-quality protein and calcium. Pasteurization removes harmful bacteria. Not suitable for those with milk allergy.

Daily Intake — Provides about 6-7g protein per stick (roughly 12-14% of daily value)

SAFE

Cheese Cultures

aka Bacterial starter cultures

Lactic acid bacteria ferment lactose and develop flavor and texture. They are a traditional, safe part of cheesemaking.

Daily Intake — No intake limit; used in trace amounts

SAFE

Salt

aka Sodium chloride

Salt is needed for flavor and preservation but adds up when eating multiple sticks or other salty foods. Moderate concern only for those watching sodium.

Daily Intake — About 170-200mg sodium per stick (roughly 7-9% of the 2,300mg daily limit)

MODERATE

Enzymes (microbial or animal rennet)

aka Rennet / coagulating enzymes

Enzymes curdle the milk to form cheese. They are safe, but animal-derived rennet means some products are not vegetarian.

Daily Intake — No intake limit; trace amounts

SAFE

Calcium Chloride (in some brands)

E509

aka Firming agent

Helps milk set properly into curd. It is a widely used, well-studied mineral salt considered safe at food levels.

Daily Intake — Trace amounts; no meaningful intake concern

SAFE

Cellulose Powder or Natamycin (in some pre-shredded or packaged varieties)

E235 Controversial

aka Anti-caking agent / mold inhibitor

Natamycin (E235) is a natural antifungal used on the surface to extend shelf life and is considered safe at permitted levels. Some consumers prefer to avoid added preservatives. Check your specific label.

Daily Intake — Trace amounts; not present in all brands

MODERATE

Upgrade Your Pantry

Healthier alternatives

Low-sodium string cheese

Reduces sodium while keeping the same protein and calcium benefits.

Find on Amazon

Organic grass-fed string cheese

Short ingredient list with no added preservatives and often better fatty acid profile.

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Reduced-fat mozzarella sticks (part-skim)

Lower saturated fat for those monitoring heart health.

Find on Amazon

Fun Fact

The stringy texture comes from stretching and kneading hot mozzarella curd (the pasta filata method), which aligns the milk proteins into parallel fibers you can peel apart.

Made by Varies by brand (e.g., Sargento Foods, Kraft Heinz for Polly-O/Frigo, Leprino Foods as a major mozzarella supplier)

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