Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, Mini Shells, Macaroni & Cheese

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Modified Starches (Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5 And 6): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.

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 Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, Mini Shells, 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 Product (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron [Ferrous Sulfate], Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid).

Natural sources but industrial application.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Whey Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Disodium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.