Original Ez Mac 'N' Cheese Dinner
The processing score reflects 40 ingredients, including artificial colors, artificial flavoring, modified ingredients, plus 2 more we flag. 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
21 listed · 8 flagged for reviewENRICHED MACARONI PRODUCT (WHEAT FLOUR, DURUM WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMIN MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), WHEY, MALTODEXTRIN, PALM AND/OR SOYBEAN OIL, SALT, CHEDDAR AND BLUE CHEESES (PASTEURIZED MILK, SALT, ANNATTO EXTRACT, CHEESE CULTURE, ENZYMES), LACTOSE, MODIFIED TAPIOCA STARCH, EMULSIFIERS (ACETIC ACID ESTERS OF MONO-AND DIGLYCERIDES, MEDIUM CHAIN TRIGLYCERIDES), MODIFIED CORN STARCH, WHOLE MILK POWDER, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, SILICON DIOXIDE, NATURAL & ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, MONO & DIGLYCERIDES, SODIUM CASEINATE, COLOR (TITANIUM DIOXIDE, YELLOW 5 LAKE, YELLOW 6 LAKE, YELLOW 5, YELLOW 6), CITRIC ACID, POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, LACTIC ACID, GUAR 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, Original Ez Mac 'N' Cheese Dinner scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:
- Modified Starches (Modified Tapioca Starch, Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
- Artificial Flavors (Natural & Artificial Flavor): Synthetic flavors indicate industrial food production.
- Other Additives (Emulsifiers (Acetic Acid Esters Of Mono-And Diglycerides, Medium Chain Triglycerides)): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.
- Emulsifiers (Mono & Diglycerides): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.
- Processed Dairy Ingredients (Sodium Caseinate): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate 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 Original Ez Mac 'N' Cheese Dinner'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.
- Stabilizers & GumsUPF marker
In this product: Guar Gum.
Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
- Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator
In this product: Enriched Macaroni Product (Wheat Flour, Durum Wheat Flour, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid).
Natural sources but industrial application.
- Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator
In this product: Maltodextrin.
Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.
- Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator
In this product: Palm And/Or Soybean Oil.
Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.
- Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator
In this product: Salt.
Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.
- MineralsProcessing indicator
In this product: Potassium Chloride, Potassium Phosphate.
Added minerals often compensate for processing.
- Anti-Caking AgentsProcessing indicator
In this product: Silicon Dioxide.
Common in powdered processed foods.
- Natural ColorsProcessing indicator
In this product: Color (Titanium Dioxide, Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 5, Yellow 6).
Natural sources but still indicate processing.
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Less Processed Alternatives
Same category, with lower Processing Scores.
No Drain Macaroni Pasta, Rotini
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Less processed (Minimally Processed), higher nutrition score
No Drain Macaroni Product, Rotini
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Less processed (Minimally Processed), higher nutrition score
Organic Cavatappi Macaroni Pasta
Less processed (Minimally Processed), higher nutrition score
Organic No Drain Macaroni Pasta, Cavatappi
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Less processed (Minimally Processed), higher nutrition score
Similar Products
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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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