Three Cheese Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, Three Cheese

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Three Cheese Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, Three 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.
• Other Additives (Propylene Glycol Esters Of Fatty Acids, Monoglycerides): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.
• Emulsifiers (Mono And Diglycerides): Industrial emulsifiers 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 Three Cheese Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, Three 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: Enriched Macaroni Product ( [Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron {Ferrous Sulfate}, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Glycerol Monostearate).

Natural sources but industrial application.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Cheese Sauce Mix (Whey, Maltodextrin, Semisoft Cheese [Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Monterey Jack Cheese [Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Palm Oil, Salt, Parmesan Cheese [Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Contains 2% Or Less Of Each Of The Following: Buttermilk, Corn Syrup Solids, Modified Corn Starch, Nonfat Milk, Beet Juice, Annatto Extract, Beta Carotene And Turmeric Oleoresin Added For Color, Lactic Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Natural Flavor, Sodium Caseinate, Sodium Phosphate, Calcium Phosphate, Guar Gum, Dipotassium Phosphate, Monoglycerides, Sodium Silicoaluminate), Maltodextrin.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Potassium Chloride.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Anti-Caking AgentsProcessing indicator

In this product: Anti-Caking Agent (Calcium Silicate).

Common in powdered processed foods.