Banquet Basic Cheesy Mac and Beef Meal, 7 Oz

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Banquet Basic Cheesy Mac and Beef Meal, 7 Oz scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Modified Starches (Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Industrial Enzymes (Enzymes): Industrial enzyme use indicates significant processing.
• Other Additives (Sodium Phosphates): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Within Crusts & Dough, this product is more processed than about 41% of the 2,350 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 Banquet Basic Cheesy Mac and Beef Meal, 7 Oz'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: Elbow Macaroni (Enriched Pasta [Durum Wheat Semolina, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]).

Natural sources but industrial application.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Annatto.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Cheese Flavor (Whey, Cheese [Granular And Blue {Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzyme}], Sunflower Oil, Maltodextrin, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid), Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.