Is Shells & Aged Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Simply Nature
Shells & Aged Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese is one of the food products analyzed by Zerotox for Simply Nature. 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, Silicon Dioxide affect the overall evaluation.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The product contains a mix of organic and processed ingredients. While organic pasta and cheese powder are present, synthetic additives like sodium phosphate raise quality concerns.
Main concern
Sodium phosphate is a synthetic additive used for texture, raising concerns about processed ingredients.
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 organic pasta made from organic wheat flour, indicating a commitment to quality ingredients.
- Includes organic cheddar cheese powder, which adds flavor and supports a more natural composition.
Concerns
- Sodium phosphate is a synthetic additive used for texture, raising concerns about processed ingredients.
- Presence of organic corn starch and silicon dioxide suggests some level of processing, which may affect overall quality.
Who should avoid this product?
This product may be less suitable for:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Instead of a flat list, this section explains each ingredient in the context of this food.
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Is Organic Pasta safe in this food?
Good
Organic Pasta is used here as base. Organic pasta made from organic wheat flour serves as the main component, providing a wholesome base for the dish.
Role in formula: base
Original: ORGANIC PASTA (ORGANIC WHEAT FLOUR)
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Is Organic Whey safe in this food?
Medium
Organic Whey is used here as flavor. Organic whey is a byproduct of cheese production, contributing to flavor but may raise concerns about processing.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: ORGANIC WHEY
-
Is Organic Cream Powder safe in this food?
Medium
Organic Cream Powder is used here as flavor. Organic cream powder adds creaminess to the cheese sauce but is a processed ingredient that may affect quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: ORGANIC CREAM POWDER (ORGANIC CREAM)
-
Is Organic Non Fat Dry Milk safe in this food?
Medium
Organic Non Fat Dry Milk is used here as flavor. Organic non-fat dry milk enhances the creaminess of the sauce but is a processed dairy product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: ORGANIC NON-FAT DRY MILK
-
Is Vitamin E safe in this food?
Good
Vitamin E is used here as antioxidant. Vitamin E is included to protect flavor, serving as a natural antioxidant without significant safety concerns.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: VITAMIN E TO, PROTECT FLAVOR
-
Is Salt safe in this food?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt is a common flavor enhancer that is essential for taste, with no significant safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: SALT
-
Is Organic Natural Flavor safe in this food?
Medium
Organic Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Organic natural flavor is used to enhance taste but may involve processing that raises quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: ORGANIC NATURAL, FLAVOR
-
Is Organic Cheddar Cheese Powder safe in this food?
Good
Organic Cheddar Cheese Powder is used here as flavor. Organic cheddar cheese powder provides authentic cheese flavor, derived from pasteurized organic milk.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: ORGANIC CHEDDAR CHEESE POWDER (ORGANIC CHEDDAR, CHEESE (PASTEURIZED ORGANIC MILK, CHEESE, CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES))
-
Is Sodium Phosphate safe in this food?
Bad
Sodium Phosphate is used here as emulsifier. Sodium phosphate is a synthetic emulsifier that helps maintain texture but raises concerns about processed ingredients.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: SODIUM PHOSPHATE
-
Is Organic Corn Starch safe in this food?
Medium
Organic Corn Starch is used here as thickener. Organic corn starch is used as a thickening agent, which is processed but generally considered safe.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: ORGANIC CORN STARCH
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this food?
Good
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is a natural preservative and flavor enhancer, commonly used in food products without significant concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: CITRIC ACID
-
Is Organic Annatto Extract safe in this food?
Good
Organic Annatto Extract is used here as colorant. Organic annatto extract is a natural colorant derived from seeds, used to enhance the visual appeal of the product.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: ORGANIC ANNATTO EXTRACT
Read the full ingredient profile for Organic Annatto Extract
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Is Silicon Dioxide safe in this food?
Bad
Silicon Dioxide is used here as anti-caking agent. Silicon dioxide is a synthetic anti-caking agent that helps prevent clumping but raises concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: anti-caking agent
Original: SILICON DIOXIDE
-
Is Lactic Acid Powder safe in this food?
Medium
Lactic Acid Powder is used here as acidulant. Lactic acid powder is used for flavor and preservation, derived from fermentation but may involve processing.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: LACTIC ACID POWDER
-
Is Organic Sunflower Oil safe in this food?
Medium
Organic Sunflower Oil is used here as emulsifier. Organic sunflower oil is used as a processing aid, providing texture but is a refined oil that may raise concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: ORGANIC SUNFLOWER OIL [PROCESSING AID]
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: 3855177
More from this brand: Simply Nature products in Zerotox
Similar products: food in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: milk
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.