Macaroni and cheese
Annie's Penne & Four Cheese
5.5 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Certified organic
- Seed-oil free
- No synthetic dyes
- Contains whole grains
Why it scores 65
Annie's Penne & Four Cheese scores 65 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 7 points Salt 1.9 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
- minus 3 points Sugars 4.8 g / 100 g: Contains some sugar. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better macaroni and cheese
-
Pasta And Cheddar Annie's · 6 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 86 out of 100 , 21 points higher -
Gluten Free White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Jovial · 6 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 87 out of 100 , 22 points higher -
Four cheese macaroni and cheese Martha Stewart Kitchen · 17 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 91 out of 100 , 26 points higher -
Vegan Mac Chickapea Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 96 out of 100 , 31 points higher -
Macaroni & Cheese Heinen's · 9 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 99 out of 100 , 34 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Penne & Four Cheese
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
- Sugars 4.8 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Saturated fat 3.2 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Salt 1.9 g / 100 g minus 7 points
- Energy 371 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Fiber 4.8 g / 100 g plus 2 points
- Protein 14.5 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 35.5 = 64.5 → 65
Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [7]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 371 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 4.8 g |
| Saturated fat | 3.2 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 69.4 g |
| Sugars | 4.8 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 4.8 g |
| Protein | 14.5 g |
| Salt | 1.9 g |
Serving: 1 serving (62 g)
Ingredients
- Organic Pasta (organic wheat flour, organic whole grain wheat flour)
- Cheddar
- Parmesan
- Monterey Jack Cheeses (cultured pasteurized milk, salt, non-animal enzymes)
- Corn Starch
- Whey
- Ricotta Cheese (whey, butter, nonfat milk, lactic acid, salt)
- Salt
- Nonfat Milk
- Butter (pasteurized cream, salt)
- Cultured Pasteurized Whole Milk
- Sodium Phosphate
- Annatto Extract (for color)
- Onion Powder
- White Pepper
- Silicon Dioxide (for anticaking)
Label text, as published
Organic Pasta (organic wheat flour, organic whole grain wheat flour), Cheddar, Parmesan, and Monterey Jack Cheeses (cultured pasteurized milk, salt, non-animal enzymes), Corn Starch, Whey, Ricotta Cheese (whey, butter [pasteurized cream, salt], nonfat milk, lactic acid, salt), Salt, Nonfat Milk, Butter (pasteurized cream, salt), Cultured Pasteurized Whole Milk, Sodium Phosphate, Annatto Extract (for color), Onion Powder, White Pepper, Silicon Dioxide (for anticaking).
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 & Cheese Kraft · 206 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltNo synthetic dyes Score 54 out of 100 Okay -
Macaroni and cheese shells aged Annie's Homegrown · 6 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltCertified organicNo synthetic dyes Score 65 out of 100 Good -
Mac & Cheese Kraft · 36.25 oz/1.03 kg Ultra-processedHigh in saltSeed-oil freeNo synthetic dyes Score 59 out of 100 Okay
More from Annie's
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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Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children
“In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”
who.int
-
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
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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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“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
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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