Macaroni and cheese
Trader Joe's Organic Shells and White Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese
6 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Certified organic
Why it scores 78
Trader Joe's Organic Shells and White Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese scores 78 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- plus 5 points Certified organic: Carries a certified-organic label. Info
- minus 3 points Salt 0.7 g / 100 g: High in salt. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better macaroni and cheese
-
White cheddar Mac n cheese Good Food Made Simple · 9.4 oz/267 g Not ultra-processed · No sodium phosphate Score 94 out of 100 , 16 points higher -
Macaroni & Cheese Heinen's · 9 oz Not ultra-processed · No sodium phosphate Score 99 out of 100 , 21 points higher -
White cheddar mac & cheese Good & Gather · 22 oz/624 g Not ultra-processed · No sodium phosphate Score 93 out of 100 , 15 points higher -
Mac and Cheese Kidfresh · 29 oz Not ultra-processed · No sodium phosphate Score 94 out of 100 , 16 points higher -
Vegan Mac Chickapea Not ultra-processed · No sodium phosphate Score 96 out of 100 , 18 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Organic Shells and White Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese
Ingredients
- Sodium phosphate minus 2.5 points
- Silicon dioxide minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 1.1 g / 100 g minus 1 points
- Salt 0.7 g / 100 g minus 3 points
Bonuses
- Certified organic plus 5 points
100 − 22 = 78
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 152 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 2 g |
| Saturated fat | 1.1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 28.1 g |
| Sugars | 2.2 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 2.2 g |
| Protein | 5.6 g |
| Salt | 0.7 g |
Serving: 1 serving (178 g)
Ingredients
- organic pasta shells (organic durum wheat, organic wheat)
- organic white cheddar cheese (organic cultured pasteurized milk, salt, non-animal enzymes)
- salt
- disodium phosphate
- silicon dioxide (anticaking agent)
Label text, as published
organic pasta shells (organic durum wheat, organic wheat), organic white cheddar cheese (organic cultured pasteurized milk, salt, non-animal enzymes) organic whey, salt, disodium phosphate, silicon dioxide (anticaking agent).
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Wheat, Gluten
- Not vegan
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More macaroni and cheese on GoodSwap
-
Mac & Cheese Kraft · 7.25 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltSeed-oil freeNo synthetic dyes Score 59 out of 100 Okay -
Cheddy Mac Creamy Cheddar And Macaroni Goodles · 6 oz Ultra-processedContains added sugarsSeed-oil freeNo synthetic dyes Score 52 out of 100 Okay -
Shells & Real Aged Cheddar Annie's · 71 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltCertified organicNo synthetic dyes Score 65 out of 100 Good -
Organic Macaroni & Classic Cheddar Annie's · 12 - 6 oz (170 g) CARTONS - NET WT 72 oz (4 lb 8 oz) 2.04 kg Ultra-processedHigh in saltCertified organicSeed-oil free Score 65 out of 100 Good -
Vegan Is Believin' Plant-Based White Cheddar with Spirals Goodles · 149 g Ultra-processed Score 70 out of 100 Good -
TWIST MY PARM Asiago and Parmesan with Spirals Goodles Ultra-processedHigh in saltSeed-oil free Score 75 out of 100 Good
More from Trader Joe's
Sources
-
EFSA issues new advice on phosphates
“We estimated that dietary exposure to phosphates may exceed the new ADI for infants, toddlers and children with average consumption of phosphates in their diet.”
efsa.europa.eu
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Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
who.int
-
“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
-
7 CFR 205.102 Use of the term "organic" (National Organic Program)
“Any agricultural product that is sold, labeled, or represented as “100 percent organic,” “organic,” or “made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s))” must be: (a) Produced in accordance with the requirements specified in § 205.101 or §§ 205.202 through 205.207”
ecfr.gov
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“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org