Cheeses
Banza Cheddar Shells
5.5 oz/156 g
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Seed-oil free
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 71
Banza Cheddar Shells scores 71 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 7 points Salt 2.2 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
- plus 4 points Fiber 7 g / 100 g: A good source of fiber. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better pasta
-
Medium Shells Barilla · 454 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 29 points higher -
Small Shells Great Value · 16 oz (1 lb) 454 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 29 points higher -
Large Sea Shells Mueller's · 16 oz/1 lb/454 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 29 points higher -
Shells no 42 Rummo · 454 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 29 points higher -
Delallo While Wheat Shells Delallo · 16 oz/1 lb/454 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 29 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Cheddar Shells
Ingredients
- Xanthan gum minus 2.5 points
- Sodium phosphate minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 1.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 4.9 g / 100 g minus 2.5 points
- Salt 2.2 g / 100 g minus 7 points
- Energy 366 kcal / 100 g minus 1 points
- Fiber 7 g / 100 g plus 4 points
- Protein 25.4 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 29 = 71
Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [6]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 366 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 11.3 g |
| Saturated fat | 4.9 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 54.9 g |
| Sugars | 7 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Protein | 25.4 g |
| Salt | 2.2 g |
Serving: 1 portion (71 g)
Ingredients
- chickpea pasta: chickpeas
- tapioca
- pea starch
- tapioca
- xanthan gum
- cheese: cheddar cheese (cultured pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes)
- nonfat milk
- buttermilk
- butter (cream, salt)
- salt
- disodium phosphate
- annatto and paprika extract (color)
Label text, as published
chickpea pasta: chickpeas, tapioca, pea starch, tapioca, xanthan gum, cheese: cheddar cheese (cultured pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes), nonfat milk, buttermilk, butter (cream, salt), salt, disodium phosphate, annatto and paprika extract (color),
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk
- Not vegan
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More cheeses on GoodSwap
-
Light Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges The Laughing Cow · 8 × 19 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fat Score 66 out of 100 Good -
Low Fat Cottage Cheese Darigold · 113 g Ultra-processedContains emulsifiers studied for gut effectsMay contain traces of 1,4-dioxane Score 57 out of 100 Okay -
String Cheese Frigo Cheese Heads · 28 g High in saltHigh in saturated fat Score 79 out of 100 Good - Galbani parmesan cheese Galbani · 7 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fat Score 67 out of 100 Good
-
Black Truffle Hot Sauce Melinda's · 12 fl oz/355 mL Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 26 out of 100 Poor -
just like COLBY JACK SHREDS Violife · 8 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saturated fatContains seed oilsNo synthetic dyes Score 63 out of 100 Good
More from Banza
Sources
-
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
-
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
-
“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
-
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
-
“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