Banquet Basic Mac and Cheese Meal, 8 Oz
Processing Score
10.9Ultra-Processed
02.55.08.010+
Nutrition Score
4.5/10Fair
The processing score reflects 40 ingredients, including modified ingredients, enriched flour or grain and emulsifiers or gums. No nutrient exceeds our high thresholds.
Data Updated
Oct 18, 2026
UPC
00031000007324
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Nutrition Facts
Serving size227 g
Amount per serving
Calories
240
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g
12%
Saturated Fat 3g
15%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 10mg
3%
Sodium 930mg
40%
Total Carbohydrate 32g
12%
Dietary Fiber 3g
11%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 8g
Calcium 150mg
12%
Iron 1.1mg
6%
Potassium 180mg
4%
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Ingredients
17 listed · 7 flagged for reviewMACARONI AND CHEESE SAUCE: CHEESE SAUCE: WATER, CHEDDAR CLUB CHEESE (PASTEURIZED CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES, ANNATTO [COLOR]), MODIFIED WHEY, SOYBEAN OIL, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, NONFAT DRY MILK, CHEESE FLAVOR (WHEY, CHEESE [GRANULAR AND BLUE {PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYME}], SUNFLOWER OIL, MALTODEXTRIN, SALT, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, CITRIC ACID, LACTIC ACID), SALT, SUGAR, SODIUM PHOSPHATES, XANTHAN GUM, CITRIC ACID, GUAR GUM, BETA CAROTENE (COLOR). MACARONI: COOKED PASTA: WATER, ELBOW MACARONI (ENRICHED PASTA [DURUM WHEAT SEMOLINA, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMIN MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID]), SOYBEAN OIL. CONTAINS: MILK, WHEAT.
Listed in source order (heaviest first). Select any ingredient to see its category bucket and other products that contain it.
Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?
In our analysis, Banquet Basic Mac and Cheese Meal, 8 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.
- 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 Mac and Cheese Meal, 8 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.
- Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator
In this product: Soybean Oil, Soybean Oil. Contains: Milk.
Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.
- 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.
- Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator
In this product: Salt.
Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.
- Food AcidsProcessing indicator
In this product: Citric Acid.
Common in both traditional and industrial foods.
- Natural ColorsProcessing indicator
In this product: Beta Carotene (Color). Macaroni: Cooked Pasta: Water.
Natural sources but still indicate processing.
- 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.
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About our scores and this content
Processing and Nutrition Scores reflect the ingredient lists and nutrient data we observe; they are our analysis, not absolute measures of health. Read the full methodology. This information is provided for general nutrition education and is not medical, health, or dietary advice. Product formulations change often, so check the actual label before purchasing, and consult a registered dietitian or your physician for personal guidance.
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