# Land O Lakes Shreds Mexican Blend > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** Land O Lakes - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Dairy - **Size:** 8 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/land-o-lakes-shreds-mexican-blend-8-oz - **Slug:** `land-o-lakes-shreds-mexican-blend-8-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods Although primarily cheese, the product is industrially processed with anti-caking agents (potato starch, dextrose), enzymes and a preservative (natamycin) to modify texture and shelf life, features consistent with NOVA Group 4 ultra-processed foods. ## Review Land O Lakes Shreds Mexican Blend is a familiar refrigerated dairy item you’ll find in the chilled cheese aisle, shelved with other shredded cheeses, sliced blocks, and specialty melting cheeses near butter and cream cheese. Packaged in an 8 oz plastic bag labelled “Mexican Blend” and “Farmstyle Shreds,” it leans into convenient, home-cook-friendly imagery — thick-cut shreds that promise easy melting for tacos, quesadillas, nachos, enchiladas or a weekend omelet. The brand positions itself as traditional and trustworthy, drawing on farmer-owner cooperatives and simple, American comfort food values; the marketing targets busy families and people who want a reliable, melt-ready cheese without the fuss. The label carries mild health halos — “farmstyle,” “made with cheese” — but no organic certification or child-focused cartooning; it reads as mainstream grocery branding rather than specialty or artisanal. In plain processing terms, this is an industrially prepared shredded cheese: it is real cheese but has added anti-caking agents (potato starch, dextrose, enzymes) and a mold inhibitor (natamycin) to preserve texture and shelf life. Sensory notes: the blend delivers a creamy, milky flavor with mild tang from cheddar and Monterey/Asadero components, thick ribbon-like shreds that melt into stretchy, gooey layers on hot dishes; the bag is often resealable and reached for when a recipe calls for quick, even melting. Rituals around it are practical and social — pulled from the fridge for taco nights, family gatherings, or quick weeknight casseroles where convenience and predictable meltability matter. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian - Gluten-free ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 0.25 cup - **Servings per container:** 8 - **Calories:** 110 - **Total fat:** 9g (12% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 5g (25% DV) - **Cholesterol:** 25mg (8% DV) - **Sodium:** 180mg (8% DV) - **Total carbs:** 1g (0% DV) - **Protein:** 6g ## Ingredients Cheddar Cheese (Cultured Pasteurized Milk, Salt, Enzymes, Color Added), Monterey Jack Cheese (Cultured Pasteurized Milk, Salt, Enzymes), Asadero Cheese (Cultured Pasteurized Milk, Salt, Enzymes), Queso Quesadilla Cheese (Cultured Pasteurized Milk, Salt, Enzymes), Anticaking Blend (Potato Starch, Dextrose, Enzyme), Natamycin (Mold Inhibitor). ## Flagged ingredients - **Natamycin** (preservative): Synthetic preservative ## Context tags - **Occasions:** game-day-prep, weekend-brunch, meal-prep-sunday - **Vibes:** convenient, comforting, nostalgic ## FAQ ### Is the Mexican Blend healthy? The Mexican Blend can be a tasty addition to your meals, especially if you're looking for a cheesy kick. With 110 calories and 6 grams of protein per serving, it's a decent option for adding flavor without too many extra calories. Just remember, 'healthy' can mean different things depending on your dietary goals — it's not a replacement for fresh veggies, but it can fit nicely into a balanced diet. ### Is it vegan? Nope, the Mexican Blend is not vegan. It’s made from a mix of cheeses, including cheddar and Monterey Jack, all of which come from milk. So, if you're avoiding animal products, this one won't make the cut. ### Is it gluten-free? Yes! The Mexican Blend is gluten-free, making it a great option for anyone with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. You can sprinkle it on your tacos or nachos without worrying about any gluten sneaking in. ### Does it contain seed oils? Nope, you won't find any seed oils in the Mexican Blend. Instead, it focuses on dairy ingredients and an anticaking blend of potato starch and dextrose. This is great news if you're mindful about the types of fats in your food. ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? No artificial sweeteners here! The Mexican Blend is sweetener-free, which is a bonus if you’re trying to avoid added sugars in your diet. It gets its flavor from the cheeses themselves, so you can enjoy it without any synthetic surprises. ### Is it high in sugar? Not at all! The Mexican Blend is low in sugar, with no added sugars listed in the ingredients. This makes it a savory option if you're keeping an eye on your sugar intake while still enjoying cheesy goodness. ### What are healthier alternatives? If you're looking for a healthier alternative, consider using fresh shredded cheese or even nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without the dairy. You could also try a homemade blend of low-fat cheeses to control the ingredients and fat content. But hey, moderation is key — enjoying the Mexican Blend in small amounts can still be part of a balanced diet! ### Can kids eat it? Absolutely! The Mexican Blend is kid-friendly, thanks to its cheesy flavor and fun texture. Just be mindful of portion sizes, especially if your kids are still learning about balanced meals. It can be a fun addition to nachos or sprinkled on tacos! ### Is it good for weight loss? While the Mexican Blend isn't a magic weight-loss solution, it can fit into a weight-loss plan if used wisely. With 110 calories and 6 grams of protein, it can add flavor to meals without overwhelming calorie counts. Just remember to pair it with plenty of veggies and lean proteins for a balanced plate! ### Is it ultra-processed? The Mexican Blend does contain some processed ingredients, like the anticaking blend and natamycin, a mold inhibitor. While it’s not as heavily processed as some snack foods, it’s not exactly 'minimally processed' either. If you're aiming for whole foods, you might want to enjoy this cheese blend in moderation. ## Related products - [Dole 100% Juice, No Sugar Added, Pineapple Orange Banana 52 fl oz](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/dole-100-juice-no-sugar-added-pineapple-orange-banana-52-fl-oz-52-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/dole-100-juice-no-sugar-added-pineapple-orange-banana-52-fl-oz-52-oz - [Simply Strawberry Juice Drink](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/simply-strawberry-juice-drink-52-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/simply-strawberry-juice-drink-52-oz - [Stonyfield Yotoddler Yogurt, Strawberry Banana 6 Pack](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/stonyfield-yotoddler-yogurt-strawberry-banana-6-pack-24-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/stonyfield-yotoddler-yogurt-strawberry-banana-6-pack-24-oz - [Babybel Cheeses, Monterey Jack 12 ct](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/babybel-cheeses-monterey-jack-12-ct-850-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/babybel-cheeses-monterey-jack-12-ct-850-oz - [Koia Shake, Plant Based, Protein, Chocolate Banana 12 fl oz](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/koia-shake-plant-based-protein-chocolate-banana-12-fl-oz-12-fl-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/koia-shake-plant-based-protein-chocolate-banana-12-fl-oz-12-fl-oz - [Clio Strawberry Greek Yogurt - 4 Bar Count](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/clio-strawberry-greek-yogurt-4-bar-count-705-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/clio-strawberry-greek-yogurt-4-bar-count-705-oz - [Borden Natural Cheese Slices Colby Jack](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/borden-natural-cheese-slices-colby-jack-6-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/borden-natural-cheese-slices-colby-jack-6-oz - [Chobani Oat Milk- Extra Creamy](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/chobani-oat-milk-extra-creamy-52-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/chobani-oat-milk-extra-creamy-52-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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