Mac & Cheese Bites, Mac & Cheese
The processing score reflects 95 ingredients, including artificial flavoring, ingredients listed as artificial, modified ingredients, plus 3 more we flag. No nutrient exceeds our high thresholds.
Nutrition Highlights
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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
35 listed · 13 flagged for reviewWATER, MACARONI (WATER, ENRICHED SEMOLINA [DURUM WHEAT SEMOLINA, FERROUS SULFATE, NIACIN, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID]), WHEAT FLOUR, PASTEURIZED PROCESS CHEDDAR CHEESE (CHEDDAR CHEESE [MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES], WATER, MILKFAT, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE, SALT, ARTIFICIAL COLOR), ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), VEGETABLE OIL (SOYBEAN AND/OR CANOLA OIL), DEHYDRATED POTATOES (POTATOES, MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, DEXTROSE), BLEACHED ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), ANNATTO EXTRACT, BUTTER (CREAM, SALT), BUTTERMILK POWDER, CELLULOSE GUM, CITRIC ACID, DEXTROSE, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, DRIED CHEDDAR AND SEMISOFT CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES), DRIED ONION, DRIED YEAST, LACTIC ACID, LEAVENING (SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE), MODIFIED CORN STARCH, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL CHEESE FLAVOR (CHEDDAR CHEESE FLAVOR [MILK, MALTODEXTRIN, BACTERIAL CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR], BUTTERMILK, WHEY, AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT, CHEESE FLAVOR [MILK, BACTERIAL CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES], CULTURED WHEY, SALT, CREAM), NATURAL FLAVOR (CONTAINS MILK), NONFAT DRY MILK, PAPRIKA EXTRACT, SALT, SILICON DIOXIDE (TO PREVENT CAKING), SPICES, SUGAR, SUNFLOWER OIL, TURMERIC EXTRACT, TURMERIC OLEORESIN, WHEY, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, YELLOW CORN FLOUR.
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, Mac & Cheese Bites, Mac & Cheese 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.
- Stabilizers & Gums (Cellulose Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
- Natural Flavors (Natural Flavor (Contains Milk)): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
- Processed Dairy Ingredients (Whey Protein Concentrate): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.
Within Frozen Appetizers, this product is more processed than about 39% of the 4,714 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 Mac & Cheese Bites, 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.
- Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator
In this product: Macaroni (Water, Enriched Semolina [Durum Wheat Semolina, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]).
Natural sources but industrial application.
- Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator
In this product: Vegetable Oil (Soybean And/Or Canola Oil), Sunflower Oil.
Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.
- Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator
In this product: Dehydrated Potatoes (Potatoes, Mono- And Diglycerides, Dextrose), Dextrose, Natural And Artificial Cheese Flavor (Cheddar Cheese Flavor [Milk, Maltodextrin, Bacterial Cultures, Salt, Enzymes, Natural And Artificial Flavor], Buttermilk, Whey, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Cheese Flavor [Milk, Bacterial Cultures, Salt, Enzymes], Cultured Whey, Salt, Cream), Sugar.
Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.
- Natural ColorsProcessing indicator
In this product: Annatto Extract.
Natural sources but still indicate processing.
- Food AcidsProcessing indicator
In this product: Citric Acid, Lactic Acid.
Common in both traditional and industrial foods.
- MineralsProcessing indicator
In this product: Disodium Phosphate.
Added minerals often compensate for processing.
- Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator
In this product: Dried Yeast.
Industrial fermentation for additive production.
- Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator
In this product: Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate).
Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.
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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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