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Goodles Cheddy Mac
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Macaroni and cheese

Goodles Cheddy Mac

6 oz

Okay out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in salt
  • Contains added sugars
  • Seed-oil free
  • No synthetic dyes
  • Contains whole grains
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Why it scores 45

Goodles Cheddy Mac scores 45 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Maple syrup: An added sugar. Strong
  2. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  3. Salt 1.9 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

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

The Receipt

Cheddy Mac

START100

Ingredients

  • Maple syrup
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Xanthan gum
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • 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. [5]
subtotal−25

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [4]
  • 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: color (added) and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. [4]
subtotal−19.5

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Sugars 9.4 g / 100 g
    Strong High in sugar. [1]
  • Saturated fat 2.9 g / 100 g
    Strong High in saturated fat. [6]
  • Salt 1.9 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in salt. [7]
  • Energy 412 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [2]
  • Fiber 4.7 g / 100 g
    Strong A good source of fiber. [2]
  • Protein 16.5 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [2]
subtotal−11
TOTAL 45Okay

100 − 55.5 = 44.5 → 45

Can’t score above 79. Contains maple syrup, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]

Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [8]

GTIN 00850031990258 · 2026-07-15

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy412 kcal
Fat5.9 g
Saturated fat2.9 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates69.4 g
Sugars9.4 g
Added sugars1.2 g
Fiber4.7 g
Protein16.5 g
Salt1.9 g

Serving: 1 serving (85 g)

Ingredients

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

GOODLES GLUTEN FREE MACARONI (CORN, BROWN RICE, CHICKPEAS, YELLOW PEAS, CHICKPEA PROTEIN, XANTHAN GUM, BROCCOLI, SPINACH, KALE, PUMPKIN, SWEET POTATO, SUNFLOWER SEED, CRANBERRY, CHLORELLA, MAITAKE MUSHROOM, SHIITAKE MUSHROOM), CHEDDAR CHEESE BLEND (CHEDDAR CHEESE, WHEY, BUTTERMILK, SALT, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, ANNATTO, PAPRIKA, TURMERIC, LACTIC ACID, ENZYMES), BUTTER (CREAM, SALT), DRIED MAPLE SYRUP, TAPIOCA FLOUR. CONTAINS MILK.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk, Wheat

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

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest macaroni and cheese in the US

More from Goodles

Sources

  1. Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children

    World Health Organization · Mar 4, 2015 · Agency assessment

    “In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”

    who.int

  2. 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

  3. Added and free sugars should be as low as possible

    European Food Safety Authority · Feb 28, 2022 · Agency assessment

    “Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”

    efsa.europa.eu

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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