Speedy Mac, Original Macaroni & Cheese Microwaveable Dinner, Original Macaroni & Cheese

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup Solids): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Modified Starches (Modified Cornstarch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Emulsifiers (Glycerol Monostearate, Mono-And Diglycerides): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Guar Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Natural Flavors (Natural Flavor): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

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 Speedy Mac, Original Macaroni & Cheese Microwaveable Dinner, Original Macaroni & 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.

Processed Dairy IngredientsUPF marker

In this product: Sodium Caseinate.

Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.

Other AdditivesUPF marker

In this product: Monoglycerides, Sodium Silicoaluminate, Propylene Glycol Fatty Acid Esters.

Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

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

Natural sources but industrial application.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Cheese Sauce: (Whey, Maltodextrin, Semisoft Cheese [Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes]), 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: Palm Oil. Contains 2% Or Less Of Each Of The Following: Modified Cornstarch.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Annatto Extract.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Phosphate, Calcium Phosphate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.