Banquet Cheesy Mac and Beef Dinner

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Banquet Cheesy Mac and Beef Dinner 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.
• Processed Dairy Ingredients (Whey Protein Concentrate): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate 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 Cheesy Mac and Beef Dinner'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 (Water, Durum Semolina, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate [Iron], Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid).

Natural sources but industrial application.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Beef Crumble (Beef, Seasoning [Flavorings, Salt, Spices, Dextrose], Tomato Paste ( Tomatoes, Citric Acid), Salt, Soybean Oil), Acetic Acid Esters Of Mono- And Diglycerides, Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil, Beta Carotene Blend (Soybean Oil, Corn Oil, Beta Carotene [Color]). Contains: Milk.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

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

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Disodium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.