Original Microwaveable Shells & Cheddar Dinner

Why Does This Score Highly Processed?

In our analysis, Original Microwaveable Shells & Cheddar Dinner scores Highly 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.
• Other Additives (Propylene Glycol Esters Of Fatty Acids): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.
• Emulsifiers (Mono And Diglycerides): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Within Boxed Dinners & Sides, this product is more processed than about 25% 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 Microwaveable Shells & Cheddar 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.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Enriched Macaroni Product ( [Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron (Ferrous Sulfate), Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Glycerol Monostearate).

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Maltodextrin.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Anti-Caking AgentsProcessing indicator

In this product: Calcium Silicate.

Common in powdered processed foods.