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Knorr Spiral Pasta in a Creamy Buffalo Chicken Flavored Sauce
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Instant pasta

Knorr Spiral Pasta in a Creamy Buffalo Chicken Flavored Sauce

121 g

Good out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • Seed-oil free
  • No synthetic dyes
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Why it scores 63

Knorr Spiral Pasta in a Creamy Buffalo Chicken Flavored Sauce scores 63 out of 100 (Good) 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. 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: anti-caking agent, color (added), flavor enhancer, flavoring and industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate. Emerging
  3. Maltodextrin: An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). Info

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

Better frozen meals

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

The Receipt

Spiral Pasta in a Creamy Buffalo Chicken Flavored Sauce

START100

Ingredients

  • Maltodextrin
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [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. [2][1]
  • Silicon dioxide
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Yeast extract
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Disodium guanylate
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Disodium inosinate
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
    Strong The FDA considers MSG generally recognized as safe; some sensitive people report mild, short-lived symptoms after 3 g or more without food. [3][4][1]
subtotal−12.5

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: anti-caking agent, color (added), flavor enhancer, flavoring and industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate. [1]
subtotal−24

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Energy 182 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [5]
subtotal−1
TOTAL 63Good

100 − 37.5 = 62.5 → 63

GTIN 00041000009655 · 2026-04-28

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy182 kcal
Added sugars0 g

Serving: 1 package

Ingredients

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

PASTA (DURUM FLOUR, WHEAT FLOUR), CORN STARCH, MALTODEXTRIN, SALT, PAPRIKA, CITRIC ACID, ONION POWDER, CHICKEN FAT, SPICE, NATURAL FLAVOR, SILICON DIOXIDE, YEAST EXTRACT, DISODIUM GUANYLATE, DISODIUM INOSINATE, POTASSIUM SALT, ANNATTO EXTRACT, MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE, RIBOFLAVIN, NIACIN, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, FERROUS SULFATE, FOLIC ACID.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Wheat, Gluten

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

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest instant pasta in the US

More from Knorr

Sources

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  2. 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

  3. Questions and Answers on Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Jul 17, 2026 · Regulator

    “FDA considers the addition of MSG to foods to be “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS).”

    fda.gov

  4. EFSA reviews safety of glutamates added to food

    European Food Safety Authority · Jul 12, 2017 · Agency assessment

    “EFSA re-assessed the safety of glutamates used as food additives and derived a group acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 30 mg/kg body weight per day for all six of these additives.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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