SmartChoice

Home › Ingredients › SHELLS & CHEDDAR DELUXE MAC AND CHEESE SHELL PASTA WITH A CR

SHELLS & CHEDDAR DELUXE MAC AND CHEESE SHELL PASTA WITH A CREAMY CHEESE SAUCE, SHELLS & CHEDDAR

KROGER · 50/100 · Caution

5 ingredients flagged with caution

What we flagged

IngredientVerdictWhy
Maltodextrin Caution Highly processed starch derivative with a glycemic index higher than table sugar.
Milk Powder Caution Dehydrated milk; spray-drying can oxidize cholesterol.
Natural Flavors Caution Regulatory category permitting solvent extraction; composition not disclosed.
Xanthan Gum Caution Microbial fermentation product; well tolerated by most but can cause GI distress in sensitive individuals.
Sodium Phosphate Caution Common additive in processed meats and cheeses; high intake linked to kidney stress.

How the score was reached

100 − 50×0 − 10×5 − 5×0 = 50

ReasonPointsDetail
Maltodextrin -10 Highly processed starch derivative with a glycemic index higher than table sugar.
Milk Powder -10 Dehydrated milk; spray-drying can oxidize cholesterol.
Natural Flavors -10 Regulatory category permitting solvent extraction; composition not disclosed.
Xanthan Gum -10 Microbial fermentation product; well tolerated by most but can cause GI distress in sensitive individuals.
Sodium Phosphate -10 Common additive in processed meats and cheeses; high intake linked to kidney stress.

Ingredients

enriched macaroni productWheat Flourniacinferrous sulfate [iron]thiamin mononitrateriboflavinfolic acidcheese sauceMaltodextrinWheyMilk PowderSaltNatural Flavorsmilk protein concentratecheddar cheese [pasteurized milkcheese culturesenzymes]annatto extract [color]yeast extractGuar GumXanthan GumSodium Phosphate

Diets this fits

Pescatarian

Where to buy

Buy on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Scores come from our ingredient rules — never from commissions.

Scan it instead of reading labels

SmartChoice checks every ingredient on a product against these same rules — point your camera at the barcode and get a verdict in seconds.

Get SmartChoice — free on iPhone

Educational information, not medical or dietary advice. Scores reflect what the label states, checked against our published rules. Labels change — always read the product’s own packaging.