Cow cheeses
Annie's Macaroni & Classic Cheddar
170 g
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Certified organic
- Seed-oil free
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 72
Annie's Macaroni & Classic 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 1.6 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 · Less salt 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 · Less salt Score 94 out of 100 , 22 points higher -
White cheddar mac & cheese Good & Gather · 22 oz/624 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 93 out of 100 , 21 points higher -
White Cheddar Shrimp Mac and Cheese Scott & Jon's · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 89 out of 100 , 17 points higher -
Vegan Mac Chickapea Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 96 out of 100 , 24 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Macaroni & Classic 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 2.1 g / 100 g minus 1.5 points
- Salt 1.6 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Energy 366 kcal / 100 g minus 1 points
- Fiber 4.2 g / 100 g plus 2 points
- Protein 12.7 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 28 = 72
Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [6]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 366 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 4.2 g |
| Saturated fat | 2.1 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 70.4 g |
| Sugars | 8.5 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 4.2 g |
| Protein | 12.7 g |
| Salt | 1.6 g |
Serving: 1 serving (71 g)
Ingredients
- Organic Pasta (organic wheat flour)
- Organic Whey
- Organic Cultured Cream
- Organic Nonfat Milk
- Salt
- Organic Butter (organic pasteurized cream, salt)
- Organic Dried Cheddar Cheese (organic cultured pasteurized milk, salt, non-animal enzymes)
- Organic Corn Starch
- Organic Annatto Extract (for color)
- Citric Acid
- Lactic Acid
- Sodium Phosphate
- Silicon Dioxide (for anticaking)
Label text, as published
Organic Pasta (organic wheat flour), Organic Whey, Organic Cultured Cream, Organic Nonfat Milk, Salt, Organic Butter (organic pasteurized cream, salt), Organic Dried Cheddar Cheese (organic cultured pasteurized milk, salt, non-animal enzymes), Organic Corn Starch, Organic Annatto Extract (for color), Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Phosphate, 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.
Packaging
Paperboard
Context only: no points in v1.
More from Annie'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
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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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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