Deluxe Cheezy Mac

Why Does This Score Highly Processed?

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

• Natural Flavors (Vegan Natural Flavors): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Processed Dairy Ingredients (Pea Protein Isolate): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Acacia Gum, Xanthan Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Within Boxed Dinners & Sides, this product is more processed than about 25% 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 Deluxe Cheezy 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.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Non-Gmo Expeller Pressed: Canola And/Or Safflower Oil, Coconut Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Sea Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Tricalcium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Cane Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Lactic Acid (Vegan).

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Titanium Dioxide (Naturally Occurring Mineral).

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Yeast Extract.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.