Bacon Mac 'N' Cheese

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Bacon Mac 'N' Cheese scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Modified Starches (Modified Food Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Xanthan Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Within Frozen Dinners, this product is more processed than about 37% of the 5,358 products we've analyzed.

Processing classification reflects ingredient and additive analysis, not a judgment of any product's safety, quality, or healthfulness.

What These Ingredients Tell Us

We group Bacon Mac 'N' Cheese's ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: Cooked Macaroni Product (Semolina Enriched With Iron, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid).

Natural sources but industrial application.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Natural Uncured Bacon [Pork, Water, Salt, Turbinado Sugar, Brown Sugar, Seasoning [Cultured Celery Juice Powder, Sea Salt , Lactic Acid Starter Culture]No Nitrate Or Nitrite Added Except For Those Naturally Occurring In Sea Salt And Celery Juice Powder.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Fully Cooked Bacon (Bacon [Cured With Water, Salt, Sugar, Sodium Phosphates, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite]), Maltodextrin.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Canola Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Disodium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.