Chef Boyardee Microwaveable Spaghetti and Meatballs, 7.5 Oz

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Chef Boyardee Microwaveable Spaghetti and Meatballs, 7.5 Oz scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (High Fructose Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Modified Starches (Less Than 2% Of: Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Natural Flavors (Flavorings): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Industrial Enzymes (Enzyme Modified Cheese (Cheddar Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cultures, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Sodium Phosphate, Xanthan Gum)): Industrial enzyme use indicates significant processing.

Within Pasta & Noodles, this product is more processed than about 90% of the 9,228 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 Chef Boyardee Microwaveable Spaghetti and Meatballs, 7.5 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: Cooked Pasta (Water, Enriched Pasta [Durum Wheat Semolina, Egg White, Glycerol Monostearate, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate {Vitamin B1}, Riboflavin {Vitamin B2}, Folic Acid]), Meatballs (Pork, Dark Chicken, Mechanically Separated Chicken, Beef, Water, Crackermeal [Enriched Wheat Flour {Bleached Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid}, May Contain Guar Gum], Soy Protein Concentrate, Salt, Caramel Color, Flavorings, Soybean Oil, Citric Acid).

Natural sources but industrial application.

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.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil. Contains: Egg.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.