Macaroni and cheese
Premier Pantry Macaroni & Cheese
7.25 oz (206 g)
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Contains seed oils
Why it scores 67
Premier Pantry Macaroni & Cheese scores 67 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 5 points Salt 1.6 g / 100 g: High in salt. Strong
- minus 2.5 points 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 macaroni and cheese
-
Gluten Free White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Jovial · 6 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 87 out of 100 , 20 points higher -
Pasta And Cheddar Annie's · 6 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 86 out of 100 , 19 points higher -
Vegan Mac Chickapea Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 96 out of 100 , 29 points higher -
Macaroni & Cheese Heinen's · 9 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 99 out of 100 , 32 points higher -
Purple Power, Purple Sweet Potato Mac Goodness Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 87 out of 100 , 20 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Macaroni & Cheese
Ingredients
- Maltodextrin minus 2.5 points
- Soybean oil minus 2.5 points
- Sodium phosphate minus 2.5 points
- Caseinate minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 1.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Salt 1.6 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Energy 348 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Protein 10.1 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 33.5 = 66.5 → 67
Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [9]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 348 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 71 g |
| Sugars | 1.4 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 2.9 g |
| Protein | 10.1 g |
| Salt | 1.6 g |
Serving: 1 Prepared (1 cup)
Ingredients
Label text, as published
ENRICHED ELBOW MACARONI WHEAT FLOUR NACIN FERROUS SULFATE (RON THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RBOFLAVN FOLIC ACID: CHEDDAR CHEESE SEASONING ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NACIN REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), MALTODEXTRIN, DAIRY PRODUCT SOLIDS, SALT CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: SOYBEAN OIL TO REDUCE DUSTING, SODIUM PHOSPHATE NATURAL FLAVORS, CITRIC ACID, CHEDDAR CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT ENZYMES) COLORS ADDED (YELLOW 5, YELLOW 6, YELLOW 6 LAKE, YELLOW 5 LAKE), SODIUM CASEINATE, BUTTER OIL) MAY CONTAIN SILICON DIOXIDE TO REDUCE CAKING "DEHYDRATED. CONTAINS: MILK, WHEAT Made on shared equipment that also processes egg.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Wheat, Gluten, Egg
- Not vegan
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Packaging
Cardboard
Context only: no points in v1.
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 -
Shella Good Aged White Cheddar And Shells Goodles · 6 oz Ultra-processedSeed-oil free Score 73 out of 100 Good -
Organic Macaroni & Classic Cheddar Annie's · 12 - 6 oz (170 g) CARTONS - NET WT 72 oz (4 lb 8 oz) 2.04 kg Ultra-processedHigh in saltCertified organicSeed-oil free Score 65 out of 100 Good -
Organic Shells and White Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese Trader Joe's · 6 oz Ultra-processedCertified organic Score 78 out of 100 Good
More from Premier Pantry
Sources
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“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
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“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
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EFSA issues new advice on phosphates
“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
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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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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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“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