Is Macaroni & Cheese Original Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Great Value
Macaroni & Cheese Original is one of the food products analyzed by Zerotox for Great Value. The product scores 60/100 in Zerotox, meaning it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The sections below explain why ingredients like Sodium Phosphate affect the overall evaluation.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes enriched macaroni and cheddar cheese seasoning, with sodium phosphate and modified corn starch as additives. These raise moderate quality concerns due to processing.
Main concern
Sodium phosphate is a synthetic additive used for texture, raising concerns about processed ingredients in the product.
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
- Enriched macaroni provides essential nutrients like niacin and folic acid, contributing positively to the product's nutritional profile.
- Cheddar cheese flavor derived from pasteurized milk and cheese culture indicates a dairy-based flavor source, enhancing taste.
Concerns
- Sodium phosphate is a synthetic additive used for texture, raising concerns about processed ingredients in the product.
- Modified corn starch and maltodextrin are processed ingredients that may indicate lower quality and raise safety concerns.
Who should avoid this product?
This product may be less suitable for:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- users trying to avoid sulfates
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Instead of a flat list, this section explains each ingredient in the context of this food.
-
Is Enriched Macaroni safe in this food?
Medium
Enriched Macaroni is used here as base. Enriched macaroni is a processed wheat product fortified with vitamins like niacin and folic acid, which adds nutritional value but raises concerns about processing.
Role in formula: base
Original: ENRICHED MACARONI (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID)
-
Is Cheddar Cheese Seasoning safe in this food?
Medium
Cheddar Cheese Seasoning is used here as flavor. Cheddar cheese seasoning includes whey and dairy solids, providing flavor but also indicating a processed nature that may affect quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: CHEDDAR CHEESE SEASONING (WHEY, DAIRY PRODUCT SOLIDS, ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR [WHEAT, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), SALT, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, MALTODEXTRIN, CHEDDAR CHEESE FLAVOR [PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES], ANNATTO EXTRACT, CREAM, NATURAL FLAVORINGS, NONFAT DRY MILK, BUTTER OIL, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM CASEINATE)
Read the full ingredient profile for Cheddar Cheese Seasoning
-
Is Sodium Phosphate safe in this food?
Bad
Sodium Phosphate is used here as emulsifier. Sodium phosphate is used for texture and stability in processed foods, raising concerns about synthetic additives and their long-term effects.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: SODIUM PHOSPHATE
-
Is Modified Corn Starch safe in this food?
Medium
Modified Corn Starch is used here as thickener. Modified corn starch is a processed thickening agent that can affect the product's quality and raises concerns about its processing.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: MODIFIED CORN STARCH
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: 3354633
More from this brand: Great Value 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.