Kroger, Traditional Macaroni Salad

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Kroger, Traditional Macaroni Salad scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Chemical Preservatives (Potassium Sorbate And Sodium Benzoate): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Xanthan Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Other Additives (Sodium Ascorbate): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Within Prepared Salads, this product is more processed than about 43% of the 1,234 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 Kroger, Traditional Macaroni Salad'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: Cooked Enriched Macaroni (Water, Semolina Wheat [Wheat, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]).

Natural sources but industrial application.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Salad Dressing (Soybean Oil, Water, Sugar, Vinegar, Egg Yolks, Modified Corn Starch, Salt, Natural Flavor, Mustard Flour, Paprika, Calcium Disodium Edta [To Protect Flavor]), Sugar, Pickle Relish (Cucumbers, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Vinegar, Salt, Xanthan Gum, Alum, Natural Flavors, Polysorbate 80, Turmeric).

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Ascorbic Acid.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.