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Velveeta Shells & Cheese
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Macaroni and cheese

Velveeta Shells & Cheese

12 oz

Okay out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in salt
  • Contains seed oils
  • No synthetic dyes
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Why it scores 56

Velveeta Shells & Cheese scores 56 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  2. Salt 2.1 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
  3. 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavoring, industrial protein, industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. Emerging

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

Better macaroni and cheese

The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.

The Receipt

Shells & Cheese

START100

Ingredients

  • Whey protein concentrate / isolate
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Milk protein concentrate / isolate
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Maltodextrin
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Sodium phosphate
    Strong 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. [2]
  • Canola oil
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [3][4][5][6]
  • Sodium alginate
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Sorbic acid
    Strong EFSA (2019) set a group ADI of 11 mg/kg body weight per day for sorbic acid and potassium sorbate. [7]
  • Color added (not named)
    Info 21 CFR 101.22(k) requires certified color additives (FD&C dyes and their lakes) to be declared by name. [8][1]
  • Natural flavors
    Info "Natural flavor" is a legal category (21 CFR 101.22(a)(3)): flavor substances from spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy or fermentation. [9][1]
subtotal−13.5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [1]
  • 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavoring, industrial protein, industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. [1]
subtotal−24

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Saturated fat 1.3 g / 100 g
    Strong Contains some saturated fat. [10]
  • Salt 2.1 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in salt. [11]
  • Energy 304 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [12]
  • Protein 12.3 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [12]
subtotal−7
TOTAL 56Okay

100 − 44.5 = 55.5 → 56

Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [13]

GTIN 00021000654925 · 2026-05-25

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy304 kcal
Fat4 g
Saturated fat1.3 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates50.3 g
Sugars4.4 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber1.8 g
Protein12.3 g
Salt2.1 g

Serving: 4 oz

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.
Label text, as published

ENRICHED MACARONI PRODUCT (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE [IRON], THIAMIN MONONITRATE [VITAMIN B1], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], FOLIC ACID), CHEESE SAUCE (WHEY, PART-SKIM MILK, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, MALTODEXTRIN, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, SALT, CANOLA OIL, MILK, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF LACTIC ACID, SODIUM ALGINATE, SORBIC ACID AS A PRESERVATIVE, ARTIFICIAL COLOR, MILKFAT, CHEESE CULTURE, OLEORESIN PAPRIKA [COLOR], NATURAL FLAVOR, ENZYMES, ANNATTO EXTRACT [COLOR], VITAMIN A PALMITATE).

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk, Wheat, Gluten

  • Not vegan
  • Not gluten-free
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest macaroni and cheese in the US

More from Velveeta

Sources

  1. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  2. EFSA issues new advice on phosphates

    European Food Safety Authority · Jun 12, 2019 · Agency assessment

    “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

  3. Re-evaluation of the traditional diet-heart hypothesis: analysis of recovered data from Minnesota Coronary Experiment (1968-73)

    BMJ · Apr 12, 2016 · Peer-reviewed

    “replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”

    doi.org

  4. Use of dietary linoleic acid for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and death: evaluation of recovered data from the Sydney Diet Heart Study and updated meta-analysis

    BMJ · Feb 4, 2013 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  5. Dietary Linoleic Acid and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

    Circulation · Oct 28, 2014 · Peer-reviewed

    “These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”

    doi.org

  6. Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association

    Circulation · Jul 18, 2017 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  7. Opinion on the follow-up of the re-evaluation of sorbic acid (E200) and potassium sorbate (E202) as food additives

    European Food Safety Authority · Mar 1, 2019 · Agency assessment

    “By applying a default uncertainty factor of 100, the Panel established a group ADI expressed as 11 mg sorbic acid/kg bw per day for sorbic acid (E 200) and its potassium salt (E 202).”

    doi.org

  8. 21 CFR 101.22(k) Declaring color additives in the ingredient list

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Dec 19, 2016 · Law

    “Color additives not subject to certification and not otherwise required by applicable regulations in part 73 of this chapter to be declared by their respective common or usual names may be declared as “Artificial Color,” “Artificial Color Added,” or “Color Added””

    ecfr.gov

  9. 21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Dec 19, 2016 · Law

    “whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”

    ecfr.gov

  10. Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline

    World Health Organization · Jul 17, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”

    who.int

  11. Sodium reduction (fact sheet)

    World Health Organization · May 11, 2026 · Agency assessment

    “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

  12. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture · January 2026 · Regulator

    “Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”

    cdn.realfood.gov

  13. Guide to creating a front of pack (FoP) nutrition label for pre-packed products sold through retail outlets

    Department of Health and Social Care / Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK) · Nov 8, 2016 · Regulator

    “Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”

    assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

  14. Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses

    BMJ · Feb 28, 2024 · Peer-reviewed

    “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

  15. Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake

    Cell Metabolism · July 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org