Hormel, Macaroni & Cheese
Processing Score
19.8Ultra-Processed
02.55.08.010+
Nutrition Score
—/10No Data
The processing score reflects 67 ingredients, including hydrogenated oil, artificial flavoring, preservatives, plus 5 more we flag.
Nutrition Highlights
Good Protein Source
Data Updated
Oct 18, 2026
UPC
037600159203
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Nutrition Facts
Serving size234 g
Amount per serving
Calories
300
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g
18%
Saturated Fat 7g
35%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 25mg
8%
Sodium 1360mg
59%
Total Carbohydrate 32g
12%
Dietary Fiber 2g
7%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 12g
Calcium 200mg
15%
Iron 1.1mg
6%
* 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
15 listed · 9 flagged for reviewENRICHED MACARONI (DURUM SEMOLINA [WHEAT], FERROUS SULFATE, NIACIN, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), MILK, WATER, GRILLED VEGETABLE BLEND (YELLOW ONION, GREEN PEPPER, RED PEPPER, SEASONING [SALT, MALTODEXTRIN, GARLIC POWDER, AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT, ONION POWDER, SPICES, VINEGAR SOLIDS, LEMON JUICE SOLIDS, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVORS], SOYBEAN OIL), PASTEURIZED PROCESS CHEESE SPREAD (AMERICAN CHEESE [PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES], WATER, WHEY, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, SKIM MILK,SALT, ARTIFICIAL COLOR), CHEDDAR CHEESE (CHEDDAR CHEESE [MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES], WATER, SALT, ANNATTO COLOR), LIQUID MARGARINE (LIQUID AND HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN OIL, WATER, SALT, VEGETABLE MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, SOY LECITHIN, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, VITAMIN A PALMITATE ADDED). CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF ONIONS, MODIFIED CORNSTARCH, SALT, ANTIMICROBIAL BLEND (MALTODEXTRIN, CULTURED DEXTROSE, SODIUM DIACETATE, SALT, EGG WHITE LYSOZYME, NISIN PREPARATION [SALT, NISIN]), CHILI POWDER (CHILI PEPPER AND OTHER SPICES, SALT, GARLIC POWDER), POTASSIUM SORBATE, SODIUM BENZOATE, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVORING.
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, Hormel, Macaroni & Cheese scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:
- Modified Starches (Modified Cornstarch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
- Chemical Preservatives (Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
- Natural Flavors (Natural Flavoring): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
Within Prepared Entrees, this product is more processed than about 53% of the 6,999 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 Hormel, Macaroni & 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.
- Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator
In this product: Enriched Macaroni (Durum Semolina [Wheat], Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid).
Natural sources but industrial application.
- Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator
In this product: Grilled Vegetable Blend (Yellow Onion, Green Pepper, Red Pepper, Seasoning [Salt, Maltodextrin, Garlic Powder, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Onion Powder, Spices, Vinegar Solids, Lemon Juice Solids, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors], Soybean Oil), Antimicrobial Blend (Maltodextrin, Cultured Dextrose, Sodium Diacetate, Salt, Egg White Lysozyme, Nisin Preparation [Salt, Nisin]).
Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.
- Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator
In this product: Liquid Margarine (Liquid And Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Water, Salt, Vegetable Mono- And Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin, Citric Acid, Natural And Artificial Flavor, Vitamin A Palmitate Added). Contains 2% Or Less Of Onions.
Fortification often compensates for processing losses.
- 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.
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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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