Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese, Cheddar

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese, Cheddar 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.
• Chemical Preservatives (Salt Potassium Sorbate): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Industrial Enzymes (Cheddar Club Cheese (Cheddar Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Contains Less Than 2% Of Salt Annatto [Color])Margarine (Liquid And Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Water, Salt, Contains Less Than 2% Of Vegetable Mono And Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin, Citric Acid, Natural And Artificial Flavor, Vitamin A Palmitate Added)): Industrial enzyme use indicates significant processing.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Xanthan Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Within Prepared Entrees, this product is more processed than about 53% of the 6,999 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 Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese, Cheddar'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 Macaroni (Semolina Wheat Flour [Enriched With Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]Egg White).

Natural sources but industrial application.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Annatto Extract.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.