Macaroni and cheese
Kroger Mac and Cheese Original Macaroni & Cheese
Score
- Ultra-processed
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 76
Kroger Mac and Cheese Original Macaroni & Cheese scores 76 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 2.5 points Modified starch: An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). Info
- minus 2.5 points Sodium phosphate: EFSA (2019) set a group ADI for phosphates of 40 mg/kg body weight (as phosphorus) and noted that infants, toddlers and children may exceed it. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better macaroni and cheese
-
Vegan Mac Chickapea Not ultra-processed · No modified starch Score 96 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 , 18 points higher -
Mac and Cheese Kidfresh · 29 oz Not ultra-processed · No modified starch Score 94 out of 100 , 18 points higher -
Gluten Free White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Jovial · 6 oz Not ultra-processed · No modified starch Score 87 out of 100 , 11 points higher -
White cheddar mac & cheese Good & Gather · 22 oz/624 g Not ultra-processed · No modified starch Score 93 out of 100 , 17 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Mac and Cheese Original Macaroni & Cheese
Ingredients
- Modified starch minus 2.5 points
- Sodium phosphate minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 1.5 points
Nutrition
- Nutrition facts unavailable no points
100 − 24.5 = 75.5 → 76
Can’t score above 79. No nutrition facts on file, so we can't confirm excellent.
Ingredients
- Enriched Macaroni Product (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid)
- Cheddar Cheese Sauce (Whey, Dairy Product Solids, Salt, Cheddar Cheese, Modified Corn Starch, Color Added, Citric Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Latic Acid)
Label text, as published
Enriched Macaroni Product (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Cheddar Cheese Sauce (Whey, Dairy Product Solids, Salt, Cheddar Cheese [Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Modified Corn Starch, Contains 2% or Less of the Following: Color Added [Beet Juice, Annatto Extract, Beta Carotene, Turmeric Oleoresin], Citric Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Latic Acid).
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Wheat, Gluten
- Not vegan
- Not gluten-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 -
Pesto Mac n Cheese Specially Selected · 6.5 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 35 out of 100 Poor -
Shells & Cheese Three Cheese Great Value · 7.25 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltSeed-oil freeNo synthetic dyes Score 50 out of 100 Okay -
Hatch Chile Mac & Cheese Trader Joe's · 12 oz (340 g) Ultra-processedSeed-oil freeNo synthetic dyes Score 74 out of 100 Good
More from Kroger
Sources
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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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“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