Pasta dishes
Organics Cheddar Style Vegan Mac
170 g
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Contains added sugars
- Contains palm oil
- Seed-oil free
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 42
Organics Cheddar Style Vegan Mac scores 42 out of 100 (Okay) 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 points Salt 2 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. 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 , 45 points higher -
Vegan Mac Shells and Sweet Potato Pumpkin Annie's Homegrown · 8 oz Less salt · No added sugars Score 80 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Pasta And Cheddar Annie's · 6 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 86 out of 100 , 44 points higher -
Vermont White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Lean Cuisine · 8 oz Less salt · No added sugars Score 78 out of 100 , 36 points higher -
Elbows + Classic Cheddar Mac & Cheese, Elbows + Classic Cheddar Banza · 780 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 37 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Cheddar Style Vegan Mac
Ingredients
- Corn syrup minus 20 points
- Palm oil minus 2.5 points
- Pea protein minus 2.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 1.5 points
- Sunflower lecithin minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 6 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 1.6 g / 100 g minus 1 points
- Salt 2 g / 100 g minus 7 points
- Energy 371 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Fiber 3.2 g / 100 g plus 2 points
- Protein 11.3 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 58 = 42
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 | 371 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 4.8 g |
| Saturated fat | 1.6 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 71 g |
| Sugars | 1.3 g |
| Fiber | 3.2 g |
| Protein | 11.3 g |
| Salt | 2 g |
Serving: 1 serving (1 cup)
Ingredients
- ORGANIC DURUM WHEAT SEMOLINA
- ORGANIC PALM OIL POWDER
- ORGANIC RICE SYRUP SOLIDS (high concern)
- ORGANIC PEA PROTEIN
- TOCOPHEROLS
- ORGANIC ROSEMARY EXTRACT
- SEA SALT
- ORGANIC CORN STARCH
- ORGANIC NATURAL FLAVORS
- LACTIC ACID
- SUNFLOWER LECITHIN
- ORGANIC ANNATTO EXTRACT
Label text, as published
ORGANIC DURUM WHEAT SEMOLINA, ORGANIC PALM OIL POWDER, ORGANIC RICE SYRUP SOLIDS, ORGANIC PEA PROTEIN, TOCOPHEROLS, ORGANIC ROSEMARY EXTRACT, SEA SALT, ORGANIC CORN STARCH, ORGANIC NATURAL FLAVORS, LACTIC ACID, SUNFLOWER LECITHIN, ORGANIC ANNATTO EXTRACT.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Wheat, Gluten
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Not gluten-free
- Not palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Sources
-
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
-
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
-
Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
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
-
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
-
“Glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol”
eur-lex.europa.eu
-
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
-
“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
-
“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
-
“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