Cheesy Mac

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Modified Fats (Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil): Hydrogenation and modification are UPF markers.
• Flavor Enhancers (Disodium Inosinate And Disodium Guanylate): Industrial flavor enhancement common in UPF.
• Natural Flavors (Natural Flavor): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Within Boxed Dinners & Sides, this product is more processed than about 53% of the 4,145 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 Cheesy Mac'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: Pasta (Durum Semolina Flour [Wheat], Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate [Iron], Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid).

Natural sources but industrial application.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Maltodextrin, Nondairy Creamer (Coconut Oil, Corn Syrup Solids, Sodium Caseinate [From Milk], Mono And Diglycerides, Dipotassium Phosphate), Nondairy Creamer (High Oleic Sunflower Oil, Corn Syrup Solids, Sodium Caseinate [From Milk], Dipotassium Phosphate, Mono And Diglycerides, Silicon Dioxide, Mixed Tocopherols [To Preserve Freshness]), Textured Vegetable Protein ( [Soy Flour, Red 3], Soybean Oil, Water, Salt, Hydrolyzed Protein [Corn, Soy, Wheat], Brown Sugar, Yeast Extract, Smoke Flavoring, Artificial Flavoring, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Dextrose, Partially Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, Spice Extract).

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Yeast Extract.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Lactic Acid Powder.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Disodium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Annatto.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.