Mac & Cheese Original product image with 60/100 Zerotox safety score

Is Mac & Cheese Original Safe? Ingredient Analysis

H-E-B

This page reviews Mac & Cheese Original by H-E-B as a food. Its current score is 60/100, suggesting that it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.

If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: Annatto Extract, Paprika Extract, Sodium Phosphate.

60 / 100

Moderate quality

Why score is 60

The composition includes several processed ingredients like maltodextrin and whey protein concentrate, which raise quality concerns. The presence of artificial colors like annatto and paprika extract also indicates a processed nature.

Main concern

Maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate that may raise concerns about quality.

Why it matters: This ingredient is flagged in our analysis based on regulatory and scientific sources. Check the Ingredients section for details and see Data sources for methodology.

Regulation status: Ingredient safety is assessed from EU/EPA/CIR and similar databases; formulations may vary. Always read the product label.

Pros

  • Contains cheddar cheese, which provides flavor and a source of calcium.
  • Includes enriched wheat flour, adding some vitamins and minerals.
  • Whey protein concentrate contributes to protein content.
  • Natural flavors enhance taste without synthetic additives.

Concerns

  • Maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate that may raise concerns about quality.
  • Artificial colors like annatto and paprika extract indicate a processed composition.
  • Whey and nonfat dry milk may raise concerns for those with dairy sensitivities.
  • Sodium phosphate is a synthetic additive that can raise quality concerns.

Who should avoid this product?

You may want to be cautious with this product if you are:

  • people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
  • people avoiding animal-derived ingredients

Ingredients breakdown

The ingredient notes below are written to explain what each ingredient does in this food and why it matters.

How we score

Our safety scores and ingredient breakdowns are based on regulatory and scientific sources. See Data sources & methodology and How Zerotox works for full details.

Product info

Product ID: 3355636

More from this brand: H-E-B products in Zerotox

Similar products: food in Zerotox database

Allergens detected: milk , wheat

Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.

Frequently asked questions

The composition includes several processed ingredients like maltodextrin and whey protein concentrate, which raise quality concerns. The presence of artificial colors like annatto and paprika extract also indicates a processed nature. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
This depends on the ingredient profile. People with sensitive skin or scalp, users avoiding fragrance, sulfates or animal-derived ingredients, and cautious shoppers should review the breakdown above before buying. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
This product is flagged for: Maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate that may raise concerns about quality.; Artificial colors like annatto and paprika extract indicate a processed composition.; Whey and nonfat dry milk may raise concerns for those with dairy sensitivities.. See the Concerns and Ingredients sections above.
H-E-B — Mac & Cheese Original has a Zerotox safety score of 60 / 100. Check the ingredient breakdown above. More H-E-B products. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
We detected: milk, wheat. If you have allergies, check the label and the Ingredients section above.
H-E-B — Mac & Cheese Original has a Zerotox safety score of 60 / 100. Higher scores mean fewer concerning ingredients. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Zerotox gives H-E-B — Mac & Cheese Original 60 / 100 based on ingredients. Ultra-processed foods often have many additives; see the breakdown above. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Our analysis notes: Contains cheddar cheese, which provides flavor and a source of calcium.; Includes enriched wheat flour, adding some vitamins and minerals.; Whey protein concentrate contributes to protein content.. See the Pros section above.
Check the Ingredients section above. Zerotox flags preservatives, colours and other additives; see the full list.
Browse food products on Zerotox with ingredient analysis.
Based on our data we do not detect fragrance in this product's listed ingredients. Formulations can change; check the label.
Our analysis indicates animal-derived ingredients may be present in this product. See the Ingredients section and the label for details.

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