Is Pizza Flavored Mac & Cheese (Dry Mix) Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Kraft
Kraft's Pizza Flavored Mac & Cheese (Dry Mix) is reviewed here as a food. Zerotox gives it 60/100 based on the current ingredient profile, so it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The composition includes enriched macaroni and a seasoned cheese sauce mix, which contains several processed ingredients like disodium phosphate and maltodextrin. While the presence of cheese and milk products adds some nutritional value, the inclusion of synthetic additives and preservatives raises quality concerns, leading to a moderate rating.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes enriched macaroni and a seasoned cheese sauce mix, which contains several processed ingredients like disodium phosphate and maltodextrin. While the presence of cheese and milk products adds some nutritional value, the inclusion of synthetic additives and preservatives raises quality concerns, leading to a moderate rating.
Main concern
Contains disodium phosphate, a synthetic additive that raises quality concerns.
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 cheese sauce mix, providing dairy-derived flavor and texture.
- Includes enriched macaroni, which adds some vitamins and minerals.
- Presence of natural flavors contributes to the overall taste profile.
- Tomato powder in the seasoning blend adds a natural ingredient.
Concerns
- Contains disodium phosphate, a synthetic additive that raises quality concerns.
- Maltodextrin is a processed ingredient that may not be favorable for all consumers.
- Includes sodium phosphates, which are synthetic and can indicate processing.
- Presence of sugar in the seasoning blend raises concerns about added sweeteners.
Who should avoid this product?
This formula may not suit:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- users trying to avoid sulfates
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this food, not just listed as a raw label.
-
Is Enriched Macaroni safe in this food?
Medium
Enriched Macaroni is used here as base. Enriched macaroni is made from wheat flour and fortified with vitamins like niacin and folic acid. While it provides some nutritional benefits, the processing involved raises concerns about the overall quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: ENRICHED MACARONI (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE [IRON], THIAMIN MONONITRATE [VITAMIN B1], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], FOLIC ACID)
-
Is Seasoned Cheese Sauce Mix safe in this food?
Medium
Seasoned Cheese Sauce Mix is used here as flavor. This mix contains various dairy ingredients, providing flavor and creaminess. However, it also includes synthetic additives like disodium phosphate, which raises quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: SEASONED CHEESE SAUCE MIX (CHEESE SAUCE MIX WHEY, MILKFAT, NONFAT DRY MILK, SALT, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, DRY BUTTERMILK, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, CHEDDAR CHEESE [CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES], WITH PAPRIKA, TURMERIC, AND ANNATTO ADDED FOR COLOR, CITRIC ACID, LACTIC ACID, SILICON DIOXIDE [ANTI-CAKING AGENT])
-
Is Seasoning Blend safe in this food?
Medium
Seasoning Blend is used here as flavor. The seasoning blend includes various flavoring agents and additives like maltodextrin and sodium phosphates. While it enhances flavor, the presence of processed ingredients raises concerns about overall quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: SEASONING BLEND [MALTODEXTRIN, TOMATO POWDER, SALT, CHEDDAR CHEESE (CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES), GARLIC POWDER, TORULA YEAST, NATURAL FLAVORS, PAPRIKA, SPICES, SUGAR, ONION POWDER, CANOLA OIL, SILICON DIOXIDE (ANTI-CAKING AGENT), PAPRIKA EXTRACT (COLOR), CITRIC ACID, SODIUM PHOSPHATES]
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: 2390219
More from this brand: Kraft products in Zerotox
Similar products: food in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: wheat , milk
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.