Original Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, Original

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Original Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, Original scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Modified Starches (Modified Food Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Other Additives (Acetylated Monoglycerides, Medium Chain Triglycerides): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

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 Original Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, Original'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.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Cheese Sauce Mix (Whey, Corn Syrup Solids, Milk, Milkfat, Palm Oil, Modified Food Starch, Salt, Milk Protein Concentrate, Maltodextrin, Contains Less Than 2% Of Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Triphosphate, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Dried Buttermilk, Citric Acid, Sodium Phosphate, Lactic Acid, Calcium Phosphate, Nonfat Dry Milk, Guar Gum, Cream, Cheese Culture, With Paprika, Turmeric, And Annatto Added For Color, Enzymes, Natural Flavor, Xanthan Gum), Maltodextrin.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.