Cheeses
Annie's Pasta and Cheddar
1 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Seed-oil free
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 72
Annie's Pasta and Cheddar scores 72 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 5 points Salt 1.4 g / 100 g: High in salt. Strong
- 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
-
Gluten Free White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Jovial · 6 oz Not ultra-processed · No silicon dioxide Score 87 out of 100 , 15 points higher -
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 , 22 points higher -
White cheddar mac & cheese Good & Gather · 22 oz/624 g Not ultra-processed · No sodium phosphate Score 93 out of 100 , 21 points higher -
Vegan Mac Chickapea Not ultra-processed · No sodium phosphate Score 96 out of 100 , 24 points higher -
Macaroni & Cheese Heinen's · 9 oz Not ultra-processed · No sodium phosphate Score 99 out of 100 , 27 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Pasta and Cheddar
Ingredients
- Sodium phosphate minus 2.5 points
- Silicon dioxide 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 2.8 g / 100 g minus 1.5 points
- Salt 1.4 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Energy 375 kcal / 100 g minus 1 points
- Fiber 4.2 g / 100 g plus 2 points
- Protein 13.9 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 28 = 72
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 375 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 5.6 g |
| Saturated fat | 2.8 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 68.1 g |
| Sugars | 6.9 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 4.2 g |
| Protein | 13.9 g |
| Salt | 1.4 g |
Serving: 72g
Ingredients
- Organic Pasta
- Dried Cheddar Cheese
- Whey
- Nonfat Milk
- Butter
- Salt
- Cultured Whole Milk
- Sodium Phosphate
- Annatto Extract
- Silicon Dioxide
Label text, as published
Organic Pasta, Dried Cheddar Cheese, Whey, Nonfat Milk, Butter, Salt, Cultured Whole Milk, Sodium Phosphate, Annatto Extract, Silicon Dioxide.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Wheat, Gluten
- Not vegan
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More cheeses on GoodSwap
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Light Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges The Laughing Cow · 8 × 19 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fat Score 66 out of 100 Good -
Low Fat Cottage Cheese Darigold · 113 g Ultra-processedContains emulsifiers studied for gut effectsMay contain traces of 1,4-dioxane Score 57 out of 100 Okay -
String Cheese Frigo Cheese Heads · 28 g High in saltHigh in saturated fat Score 79 out of 100 Good -
Parmesan Cheese Kraft High in saltHigh in saturated fat Score 77 out of 100 Good -
Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese Friendly Farms · 15 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saturated fatSeed-oil free Score 72 out of 100 Good -
Parmesan Cheese Lucerne · 28 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fat Score 67 out of 100 Good
More from Annie's
-
Shells & Real Aged Cheddar Annie's · 71 g Score 65 out of 100 Good -
Shells & White Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese Annie's · 71 g Score 66 out of 100 Good -
SUPER! MAC Shells & Real Aged Cheddar Annie's · 6 oz Score 65 out of 100 Good -
Bees, Bugs, & Butterflies Pouched imp Annie's · 7 oz Score 12 out of 100 Bad
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
-
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.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