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Banza White Cheddar Elbows
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Pasta dishes

Banza White Cheddar Elbows

5.5 oz

Good out of 100 Medium confidence
  • High in salt
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Why it scores 79

Banza White Cheddar Elbows scores 79 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Processed (NOVA 3): Classified NOVA 3: processed with added salt, sugar or oil. Emerging
  2. Salt 2.3 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
  3. Saturated fat 4.2 g / 100 g: High in saturated fat. Strong

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

Better pasta

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

The Receipt

White Cheddar Elbows

START100

Ingredients

  • Xanthan gum
    Info An ingredient 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]
subtotal−5

Processing

  • Processed (NOVA 3)
    Emerging Classified NOVA 3: processed with added salt, sugar or oil. [1]
subtotal−8

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Saturated fat 4.2 g / 100 g
    Strong High in saturated fat. [3]
  • Salt 2.3 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in salt. [4]
  • Energy 366 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [5]
  • Fiber 7 g / 100 g
    Strong A good source of fiber. [5]
  • Protein 22.5 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [5]
subtotal−8
TOTAL 79Good

100 − 21 = 79

Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [6]

GTIN 00857183005144 · 2026-08-18

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy366 kcal
Fat11.3 g
Saturated fat4.2 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates49.3 g
Sugars4.2 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber7 g
Protein22.5 g
Salt2.3 g

Serving: 1 serving (71 g)

Ingredients

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

CHICKPEA PASTA: CHICKPEAS, TAPIOCA, XANTHAN GUM, CHEESE: CHEDDAR CHEESE (CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES), BUTTERMILK, SALT, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, LACTIC ACID

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk

  • Not vegan
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest pasta dishes in the US

More from Banza

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. 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

  4. 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

  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. 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