Macaroni and cheese
Trader Joe's Hatch Chile Mac & Cheese
12 oz (340 g)
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Seed-oil free
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 74
Trader Joe's Hatch Chile Mac & Cheese scores 74 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
- minus 3 points Saturated fat 3.8 g / 100 g: High in saturated fat. Strong
- minus 2.5 points Modified starch: An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). Info
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better macaroni and cheese
-
Mac and Cheese Kidfresh · 29 oz Not ultra-processed · No modified starch Score 94 out of 100 , 20 points higher -
White cheddar Mac n cheese Good Food Made Simple · 9.4 oz/267 g Not ultra-processed · No modified starch Score 94 out of 100 , 20 points higher -
Macaroni & Cheese Heinen's · 9 oz Not ultra-processed · No modified starch Score 99 out of 100 , 25 points higher -
Vegan Mac Chickapea Not ultra-processed · No modified starch Score 96 out of 100 , 22 points higher -
Gluten Free White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Jovial · 6 oz Not ultra-processed · No modified starch Score 87 out of 100 , 13 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Hatch Chile Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
- Modified starch minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 1.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 3.8 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Salt 0.3 g / 100 g minus 1 points
100 − 26 = 74
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 153 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 6.2 g |
| Saturated fat | 3.8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 17.1 g |
| Sugars | 1.5 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 1.5 g |
| Protein | 7.1 g |
| Salt | 0.3 g |
Serving: 1 serving (340 g)
Ingredients
- Cooked Elbow Macaroni (Water, Enriched Semolina)
- Milk
- Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Cow's Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Microbial Rennet, Annatto [Color])
- Roasted Hatch Chile Peppers
- Chile (not recognized)
- Unbleached Enriched Wheat Flour (Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononi - trate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid)
- Butter (Pasteurized Cream, Salt, Annatto [Color])
- Salt
- Modified Rice Starch
- Spices
Label text, as published
Cooked Elbow Macaroni (Water, Enriched Semolina [Durum Wheat Semolina, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]), Milk, Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Cow's Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Microbial Rennet, Annatto [Color]), Roasted Hatch Chile Peppers, Chile, Unbleached Enriched Wheat Flour (Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononi - trate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Butter (Pasteurized Cream, Salt, Annatto [Color]), Salt, Modified Rice Starch, Spices. Contains Wheat, Milk.
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 -
Mac and Cheese Original Macaroni & Cheese Kroger Ultra-processedNo synthetic dyes Score 76 out of 100 Good -
Shells & Cheese Three Cheese Great Value · 7.25 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltSeed-oil freeNo synthetic dyes Score 50 out of 100 Okay -
Cracker barrel sharp cheddar macaroni cheese single Cracker Barrel · 3.8 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 27 out of 100 Poor
More from Trader Joe's
Sources
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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
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“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
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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