EWG Overall Score Breakdown
The product score is based on weighted scores for nutrition, ingredient and processing concerns. Generally, nutrition counts most, ingredient concerns next and degree of processing least. The weighted scores are added together to determine the final score.Read more about scores here.
EWG scored on three factors: nutrition, ingredient concerns, and the degree of processing. Read the full scoring methodology.
Lower concern
Higher concern
Lower concern
Higher concern
1
10
Read our full methodology
Considers calories, saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, sodium, protein, fiber and fruit, vegetable and nut content to differentiate between healthful and less healthful foods. For more information on nutrition concerns, read our full methodology.
Contains ingredients that may contribute small amounts of unhealthy artificial trans fats: Canola Oil and Corn Oil [read more]
This product contains added sugar ingredients: Sugars and Dextrose [read more]
The nutrition factors used for scoring Doritos Nacho Cheese Flavored Tortilla Chips, Nacho Cheese
Positive factors
Fruit, vegetable, bean or nut content
Protein content
Fiber content
Omega-3 fatty acids
Negative factors
Calorie density
Sugar/low-calorie sweetener content
Sodium content
Saturated fat content
Trans fat content
Considers food additives, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and contaminants like mercury and BPA, which can affect human health and the environment. For more information on ingredient concerns, read methodology.
This product is not certified organic [read more]
Contains 3 of EWG's top food additives of concern: RED 40, YELLOW 5, and YELLOW 6
Contains synthetic food dyes [read more]
Includes ingredient(s) derived from animals that were possibly treated with antibiotics and/or growth promoters: Milk (Reduced Fat), Milk (Fat Free), Cheese (Cheddar), Milk, Buttermilk, and Cheese Culture [read more]
This product has 8 ingredients with concerns:
- YELLOW 5
This additive is of lower concern in food. Learn why. - Natural and Artificial Flavor
This additive is of lower concern in food. Learn why. - YELLOW 6
This additive is of lower concern in food. Learn why. - ARTIFICIAL COLOR
This additive is of lower concern in food. Learn why. - Disodium Guanylate
This additive is of lower concern in food. Learn why. - Disodium Inosinate
This additive is of lower concern in food. Learn why. - Enzyme
This additive is of lower concern in food. Learn why. - RED 40
This additive is of lower concern in food. Learn why.
Estimates how much the food has been processed. Considers many factors, chief among them, modification of individual ingredients from whole foods and number of artificial ingredients. For more information on processing concerns, read our full methodology.
Product has been classified as having high processing concerns
Products with moderate and high processing concerns generally have more artificial ingredients, more ingredients that have been significantly modified from whole foods, and more ingredients overall.
This product is not certified organic [read more]
Products bearing the USDA certified organic seal must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredient, and must be produced without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and free of genetically engineered ingredients.
Contains food additives of lower concern
Contains 3 of EWG's top food additives of concern: RED 40, YELLOW 5, and YELLOW 6
Contains ingredients that may contribute small amounts of unhealthy artificial trans fats: Canola Oil and Corn Oil [read more]
Both refined oils and fully hydrogenated oils contain small amounts of unhealthy artificial trans fats and contribute to the total intake of trans fat in the diet (Biofortis 2014). Artificial trans fats are generated in refined oils when they are processed at high temperatures from the crude oil into a bland, odorless, colorless oil (Greyt 1999). A 2012 study conducted by FDA scientists estimated that refined oil contributes an average 0.6 grams of trans fat a day (Doell 2012). The World Health Organization recommends limits on trans fat of less than 1 to 2 grams a day—in this context, it’s easy to see that 0.6 grams is not an insignificant contribution. In the case of fully hydrogenated oils, they should theoretically be free of trans fat, but since no hydrogenation process is 100 percent efficient, trans fats are often found in fully hydrogenated oils at low levels (FDA 2013). The United States Department of Agriculture National Nutrition Database has tested refined, partially hydrogenated and fully hydrogenated oils and found trans fats in all of them (USDA 2013).Textbooks for food scientists reveal that the mono and di-glycerides and other emulsifiers are often made from hydrogenated fats (Hasenhuettl and Hartel 2008) and at temperatures above 220°C (Sikorski and Kolakowka 2011). Emulsifiers produced from hydrogenated fats “contain measurable concentrations" of trans fats (Hasenhuettl and Hartel 2008).Unfortunately, due to lack of label disclosure and the trans fat labeling loophole, only the food scientists will ever know just how much trans fat these refined oils and emulsifiers are contributing to foods and the American diet.
Contains synthetic food dyes [read more]
Health concerns about the use of dyes in children's food has a led to a reduction in usage but these colorants are still common.
Contains the non-specific ingredient "flavor" [read more]
Added "flavors" are secret and often complex mixtures of chemicals that modify and manipulate the taste and smell of food. The lack of disclosure is a public right to know issue and especially concerning to people with unusual food allergies or on restricted diets.
This product contains added sugar ingredients: Sugars and Dextrose [read more]
Eating too much of any type of sugar can lead to tooth decay. Added sugars like high fructose corn syrup, honey, sugar and dextrose are more concerning than natural sugars like raisins because they can lead to obesity by adding calories without being accompanied by important nutrients like potassium, vitamin C or fiber. Americans average 22 teaspoons of added sugar a day (NCI 2010; USDA and DHHS 2010). The World Health Organization recommends no more than 6 to 12 teaspoons of added sugar a day for adults, children should eat even less (WHO 2002; WHO 2014).
Product has been classified as having high processing concerns
Includes ingredient(s) derived from animals that were possibly treated with antibiotics and/or growth promoters: Milk (Reduced Fat), Milk (Fat Free), Cheese (Cheddar), Milk, Buttermilk, and Cheese Culture [read more]
This food contains ingredient(s) from animals that were possibly treated with antibiotics and artificial growth promoters.
Natural vs. Artificial Flavors
EWG's Good Food On A Tight Budget
EWG's 2014 Shopper's Guide to Avoiding GE Food
Why GE Foods are not "Natural"
EWG's Shopper's Guide to Pesticide in Produce
From the Package
CORN, VEGETABLE OIL (SUNFLOWER, CANOLA, AND/OR CORN OIL), MALTODEXTRIN (MADE FROM CORN), AND LESS THAN 2% OF THE FOLLOWING: SALT, CHEDDAR CHEESE (MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), WHEY, MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE, BUTTERMILK, ROMANO CHEESE (PART-SKIM COW'S MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), ROMANO CHEESE (COW'S MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, ONION POWDER, CORN FLOUR, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, DEXTROSE, TOMATO POWDER, LACTOSE, SPICES, ARTIFICIAL COLOR (YELLOW 6, YELLOW 5, RED 40), LACTIC ACID, CITRIC ACID, SUGAR, GARLIC POWDER, SKIM MILK, RED AND GREEN BELL PEPPER POWDER, DISODIUM INOSINATE, DISODIUM GUANYLATE, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, AND SODIUM CASEINATE.
Products remain in the database for two years after their label information is recorded in stores. A product with label information last recorded more than a year ago is marked with an * identifying it as an older product.
Products remain in the Database for two years after their label information is recorded in stores, even when they have been discontinued (products may remain in stores and pantries long past the date they cease to be manufactured). EWG marks a product it is aware has been discontinued with a banner identifying it as such.
Please note that EWG obtains the displayed images of products from third parties and that the product's manufacturer or packager may change the product's packaging at any point in time. Therefore, EWG assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of images presented.
This product contains the following ingredient(s) that may be genetically engineered or derived from GE crops: Corn Flour, Canola Oil, Sugars, Dextrose, Vegetable Oil, Corn Oil, Corn, Lactic Acid, Maltodextrin (Corn), and Citric Acid [read more]
Scientists have not determined whether GE food poses risks to human health. Still, consumers have many good reasons to avoid eating genetically engineered ingredients, including limited safety studies, the development of "superweeds" and increased pesticide use. For more information on the topic visit: http://www.ewg.org/research/shoppers-guide-to-avoiding-ge-foodNote: The presence or absence of genetically engineered ingredients or ingredients derived from GE crops does not affect a product's overall score.
Contains ingredients derived from milk - these are considered major food allergens according to the FDA [read more]
While over 160 food ingredients may cause allergic reactions current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations stipulate that 8 major food allergens must be labeled on products. These allergens include; milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans.Note: The presence of potential allergens does not affect the overall product score.
8.0 servings per container
| Amount Per 28 g | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Calories | 150 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| % Daily Value(based on a 2,000 calorie diet and adult bodyweight) Update the values for someone: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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† Institute of Medicine. 2010. "Dietary Reference Intakes Tables and Application." Accessed April 8, 2014: link | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
