Mac & Cheese and Macaroni in a Crispy Batter Bites, Mac & Cheese

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Mac & Cheese and Macaroni in a Crispy Batter Bites, Mac & Cheese scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5 & 6): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Industrial Enzymes (Romano Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes). Soy Flour Leavening (Monocalcium Phosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate)): Industrial enzyme use indicates significant processing.
• Natural Flavors (Natural Flavors): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Flavor Fortifier (Maltodextrin, Dextrose, Natural Flavors, Lactic Acid, Triacetin). Methylcellulose, Sodium Alginate): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Other Additives (Sodium Tripolyphosphate): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

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 and Macaroni in a Crispy Batter Bites, Mac & Cheese'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.

Flavor EnhancersUPF marker

In this product: Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate.

Industrial flavor enhancement common in UPF.

EmulsifiersUPF marker

In this product: Polysorbate 80.

Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Cooked Macaroni (Water, Durum Semolina, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Enzymes). Water, Margarine (Soybean Oil, Water, Salt, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Vegetable Monoglycerides, Soy Lecithin, Parassium Sorbate And Citric Acid (Preservatives). Artificial Flavor, Beta Carotene (Color), Vitamin A Palmitate).

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Apo-Carotenal And Beta Carotene [Color], Annatto.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Dextrose, Maltodextrin, Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Lactic Acid, Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.