Hickory Smoke Flavored Macaroni & Four Cheeses
The processing score reflects 33 ingredients, including enriched flour or grain, emulsifiers or gums and natural flavoring. The nutrition score reflects high sodium.
Nutrition Highlights
Nutrient Alerts
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* 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
19 listed · 8 flagged for reviewENRICHED PASTA (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, IRON [FERROUS SULFATE], THIAMIN MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), MALTODEXTRIN (FROM CORN), WHEY (FROM MILK), CORN STARCH, SALT, YEAST EXTRACT, BUTTERMILK, PALM OIL, SUGAR, NATURAL SMOKE FLAVOR, PARMESAN CHEESE* (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES), NATURAL FLAVOR, SPICES, GARLIC*, CHEDDAR CHEESE* (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES). ROMANO CHEESE* (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES), ONION*, LACTIC ACID (LACTIC ACID CALCIUM LACTATE), BLUE CHEESE* (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES), XANTHAN GUM.
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, Hickory Smoke Flavored Macaroni & Four Cheeses scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:
- Natural Flavors (Natural Smoke Flavor, Natural Flavor): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
- Industrial Enzymes (Cheddar Cheese* (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes). Romano Cheese* (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes)): Industrial enzyme use indicates significant processing.
- Stabilizers & Gums (Xanthan Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
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 Hickory Smoke Flavored Macaroni & Four Cheeses' 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: Enriched Pasta (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron [Ferrous Sulfate], Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid).
Natural sources but industrial application.
- Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator
In this product: Maltodextrin (From Corn), Sugar.
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.
- Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator
In this product: Palm Oil.
Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.
- Food AcidsProcessing indicator
In this product: Lactic Acid (Lactic Acid Calcium Lactate).
Common in both traditional and industrial foods.
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About our scores and this content
Processing and Nutrition Scores reflect the ingredient lists and nutrient data we observe; they are our analysis, not absolute measures of health. Read the full methodology. This information is provided for general nutrition education and is not medical, health, or dietary advice. Product formulations change often, so check the actual label before purchasing, and consult a registered dietitian or your physician for personal guidance.
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