Why is Mac & Cheese classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The product is made from refined wheat and durum flours, enriched with vitamins and minerals, and includes a cheese‑sauce mix that incorporates several food‑grade additives. Listed additives are sodium triphosphate (E451i), citric acid (E330), lactic acid (E270) and additional phosphate compounds, which are typical of NOVA 4 ultra‑processed foods.

How does the sugar and salt content in this Mac & Cheese affect diabetic or hypertensive diets?

With 12.9 g of sugar per 100 g, the product can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes, making it unsuitable for strict diabetic control. The 2 g of salt contributes significantly to daily sodium intake and may raise blood pressure, so it is not recommended for people managing hypertension.

Based on its ingredients, is this Mac & Cheese suitable for vegan, keto, halal or gluten‑free diets?

No. The recipe contains wheat flour (gluten) and dairy ingredients such as whey, milkfat and milk protein concentrate, which disqualify it from vegan, gluten‑free and many halal or kosher diets. Its high carbohydrate content (70 g per 100 g) also makes it incompatible with ketogenic eating plans.

Kraft • 130.5 oz

Mac & Cheese

Cereals And Potatoes

Product Insights

Mac & Cheese is a ready‑to‑eat macaroni and cheese meal classified in the Composite foods and One‑dish meals groups. It carries a Nutri‑Score of D and belongs to NOVA group 4, indicating an ultra‑processed product that contains additives such as sodium triphosphate, citric acid, lactic acid and other phosphates. Nutritionally it delivers 357 kcal, 12.9 g protein and 2.9 g fiber per 100 g, but also provides 12.9 g sugars, 2 g salt and a high carbohydrate load while keeping fat and saturated‑fat relatively low.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

high

Salt

high

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Added Sugars0 g

Fruits & Vegetables0 %

Comparative Analysis

Compared with average pasta dishes, this Mac & Cheese contains far more sugar (12.9 g vs 3.6 g) and carbohydrates (70 g vs 23 g), roughly double the calories (357 kcal vs 175 kcal), but lower fat (2.9 g vs 5.9 g) and salt (2 g vs 3.6 g), while offering higher protein and fiber.

Ingredients

ENRICHED MACARONI (WHEAT FLOUR, DURUM FLOUR, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE [IRON], THIAMIN MONONITRATE [VITAMIN B1], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], FOLIC ACID), CHEESE SAUCE MIX (WHEY, MILKFAT, SALT, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, SODIUM TRIPHOSPHATE, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF TAPIOCA FLOUR, CITRIC ACID, LACTIC ACID, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, WITH PAPRIKA, TURMERIC, AND ANNATTO ADDED FOR COLOR, ENZYMES, CHEESE CULTURE).

84%

35%

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