Seafood Mac & Cheese

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Natural Flavors (Alfredo Sauce (Water, Cream Powder, Cheese Powder, Wheat Flour, Corn Starch, Butter Powder, Salt, Lactose, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavors, Xanthan Gum, Garlic Powder, Spice, Guar Gum)): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Emulsifiers (Soy Lecithin): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Within Frozen Dinners, this product is more processed than about 37% of the 5,358 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 Seafood Mac & 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.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Shell Pasta [Water, Enriched Durum Semolina (Durum Semolina Wheat Flour, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid)].

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Imitation Crab [Fish Protein (Pollock And/Or Pacific Whiting), Water, Wheat Starch, Egg White, Sugar, Sorbitol Contains 2% Or Less Of: Potato Starch, Modified Tapioca Starch, Salt, Natural Crab Concentrate And Artificial Flavors, Isolated Soy Protein, Rice Wine (Water, Sugar, Alcohol, Rice, Salt), Calcium Carbonate, Carrageenan, Hydrolyzed Corn, Soy, And Wheat Protein, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Disodium Inosinate And Guanylate, Carmine, Color Added], Disodium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Minced Lobster. Contains 2% Or Less Of The Following: Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Yeast.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: Calcium Propionate.

Natural sources but industrial application.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Annatto Extract.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Sea Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.