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Processing Score
22.2Ultra-Processed
Nutrition Score
4/10Fair

The processing score reflects 90 ingredients, including artificial flavoring, ingredients listed as artificial, modified ingredients, plus 3 more we flag. No nutrient exceeds our high thresholds.

Nutrition Highlights

Good Protein Source
Data Updated
Oct 18, 2026
UPC
041303076804
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Nutrition Facts
Serving size90 g
Amount per serving
Calories
270
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g
17%
Saturated Fat 3.5g
18%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 10mg
3%
Sodium 440mg
19%
Total Carbohydrate 32g
12%
Dietary Fiber 1g
4%
Total Sugars 1g
Includes 1g Added Sugars
2%
Protein 7g
Vitamin D 0mcg
0%
Calcium 110mg
8%
Iron 1.1mg
6%
Potassium 80mg
2%

* 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

36 listed · 14 flagged for review

WATER, MACARONI [WATER, ENRICHED SEMOLINA (DURUM WHEAT SEMOLINA, FERROUS SULFATE, NIACIN, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID)], WHEAT FLOUR, PASTEURIZED PROCESS CHEDDAR CHEESE [CHEDDAR CHEESE (MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES), WATER, MILKFAT, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE, SALT, ARTIFICIAL COLOR], ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), VEGETABLE OIL (SOYBEAN AND/OR CANOLA OIL), DEHYDRATED POTATOES (POTATOES, MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, DEXTROSE), BLEACHED ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID). CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF ANNATTO EXTRACT, BUTTER (CREAM, SALT), BUTTERMILK POWDER, CELLULOSE GUM, CITRIC ACID, DEXTROSE, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, DRIED CHEDDAR AND SEMISOFT CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES), DRIED ONION, DRIED YEAST, LACTIC ACID, LEAVENING (SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE), MODIFIED CORN STARCH, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL CHEESE FLAVOR (CHEDDAR CHEESE FLAVOR [MILK, MALTODEXTRIN, BACTERIAL CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR], BUTTERMILK, WHEY, AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT, CHEESE FLAVOR [MILK, BACTERIAL CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES], CULTURED WHEY, SALT, CREAM), NATURAL CHEESE FLAVOR, NATURAL FLAVOR, NATURAL FLAVOR (CONTAINS MILK), NONFAT DRY MILK, PAPRIKA EXTRACT, SALT, SILICON DIOXIDE (TO PREVENT CAKING), SPICES, SUGAR, SUNFLOWER OIL, TURMERIC EXTRACT, TURMERIC OLEORESIN, WHEY, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, YELLOW CORN FLOUR.

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, Mac & Cheese Bites 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.
  • Stabilizers & Gums (Cellulose Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
  • Natural Flavors (Natural Flavor, Natural Flavor (Contains Milk)): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
  • Processed Dairy Ingredients (Whey Protein Concentrate): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.

Within Frozen Appetizers, this product is more processed than about 39% of the 4,714 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 Mac & Cheese Bites' ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Macaroni [Water, Enriched Semolina (Durum Wheat Semolina, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid)], Bleached Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid). Contains 2% Or Less Of Annatto Extract.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Pasteurized Process Cheddar Cheese [Cheddar Cheese (Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes), Water, Milkfat, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Salt, Artificial Color], Disodium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Oil (Soybean And/Or Canola Oil), Sunflower Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Dehydrated Potatoes (Potatoes, Mono And Diglycerides, Dextrose), Dextrose, Natural And Artificial Cheese Flavor (Cheddar Cheese Flavor [Milk, Maltodextrin, Bacterial Cultures, Salt, Enzymes, Natural And Artificial Flavor], Buttermilk, Whey, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Cheese Flavor [Milk, Bacterial Cultures, Salt, Enzymes], Cultured Whey, Salt, Cream), Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid, Lactic Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Dried Yeast.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

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