Three Meat Macaroni & Cheese Bake

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Three Meat Macaroni & Cheese Bake 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 (Potassium Sorbate And Sodium Benzoate To Protect Flavor): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.

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 Three Meat Macaroni & Cheese Bake'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 Cavatapi (Semolina Wheat Flour [Enriched With Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Egg White).

Natural sources but industrial application.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Pork Sausage (Pork, Water, Salt, Sugar, Spices, Dextrose, Sodium Phosphate, Monosodium Glutamate, Chili Pepper, Natural Flavoring, Caramel Color), Bread Crumbs (Wheat Flour, Yeast, Sugar, Salt), Applewood Smoked Bacon (Bacon Cured With Water, Salt, Sugar, Smoke Flavoring, Sodium Phosphates, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite).

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Annatto Color (Soybean Oil, Mono- And Diglycerides, Annatto Extract).

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.