Price First, Original Macaroni & Cheese Dinner

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Yellow 6 Lake, +1 more): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Natural Flavors (Natural Flavor): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• 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 Price First, Original Macaroni & 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.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: Enriched Macaroni Product (Wheat Flour, Durum 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.

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.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.