Macaroni and cheese
Annie's VEGAN MAC Macaroni & Cheddar Flavor Macaroni & Sauce
6 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Contains added sugars
- Contains palm oil
- Certified organic
- Seed-oil free
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 37
Annie's VEGAN MAC Macaroni & Cheddar Flavor Macaroni & Sauce scores 37 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Corn syrup: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 7.5 points 6 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: anti-caking agent, color (added), emulsifier, flavoring, industrial protein and industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate. Emerging
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better macaroni and cheese
-
Vegan Mac Shells and Sweet Potato Pumpkin Annie's Homegrown · 8 oz Less salt · No added sugars Score 80 out of 100 , 43 points higher -
Gluten Free White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Jovial · 6 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 87 out of 100 , 50 points higher -
Vermont White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Lean Cuisine · 8 oz Less salt · No added sugars Score 78 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
mac & cheese DELUXE ORIGINAL CHEDDAR Kraft · 14 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 71 out of 100 , 34 points higher -
Pasta And Cheddar Annie's · 6 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 86 out of 100 , 49 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
VEGAN MAC Macaroni & Cheddar Flavor Macaroni & Sauce
Ingredients
- Corn syrup minus 20 points
- Palm oil minus 2.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 2.5 points
- Pea protein minus 1.5 points
- Sunflower lecithin minus 1.5 points
- Silicon dioxide minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 6 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 7.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 2.1 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Salt 2 g / 100 g minus 7 points
- Energy 366 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Fiber 4.2 g / 100 g plus 2 points
- Protein 9.9 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 63 = 37
Can’t score above 79. Contains corn syrup, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [10]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 366 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 4.9 g |
| Saturated fat | 2.1 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 71.8 g |
| Sugars | 1.4 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 4.2 g |
| Protein | 9.9 g |
| Salt | 2 g |
Serving: 0.5 package (85 g)
Ingredients
- Organic Pasta (organic wheat flour)
- Vegan Cheddar Flavor Seasoning (organic rice syrup solids, organic palm oil, sea salt, organic corn starch, organic natural flavor, organic pea protein, lactic acid, sunflower lecithin, organic annatto extract [for color], silicon dioxide [for anticaking], mixed tocopherols [vitamin E] and organic rosemary extract to protect flavor)
Label text, as published
Organic Pasta (organic wheat flour), Vegan Cheddar Flavor Seasoning (organic rice syrup solids, organic palm oil, sea salt, organic corn starch, organic natural flavor, organic pea protein, lactic acid, sunflower lecithin, organic annatto extract [for color], silicon dioxide [for anticaking], mixed tocopherols [vitamin E] and organic rosemary extract to protect flavor).
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Wheat, Gluten
- Not vegan
- Vegetarian
- Not gluten-free
- Not 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 · 36.25 oz/1.03 kg Ultra-processedHigh in saltSeed-oil freeNo synthetic dyes Score 59 out of 100 Okay -
Shell We Dance Aged White Cheddar Sauce Over Shells Goodles · 9 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains seed oils Score 58 out of 100 Okay -
Creamy Cheddar And Macaroni Goodles · 170 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsSeed-oil free Score 49 out of 100 Okay
More from Annie's
Sources
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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
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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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Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
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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Process contaminants in vegetable oils and foods
“The highest levels of GE, as well as 3-MCPD and 2-MCPD (including esters) were found in palm oils and palm fats, followed by other oils and fats.”
efsa.europa.eu
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“Glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol”
eur-lex.europa.eu
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21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
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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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“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