Mac N' Cheese Bites
Processing
4
Ultra-processed
Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale
Additives listed
5
0 we grade moderate or higher
4 of them not yet assessed here
Salt per 100g
2.64g
High
UK FSA front of pack threshold
Three separate readings, kept apart on purpose. This is not a score, and none of it says this product is harmful.
Additives (5)
This label lists 2 colours, 1 acidity regulator, 1 antioxidant and 1 thickener or gelling agent.
E160A
Carotenes
Yellow to orange colour
What it is. The orange pigments found in carrots and other vegetables, either extracted or made synthetically.
Why it is used. Colours margarine, soft drinks, dairy, and sweets.
What the evidence says. The same compound the body turns into vitamin A, and safe at the levels used in food. High dose beta-carotene supplements have been linked to harm in smokers, but those doses are far above anything a colour in food delivers, and conflating the two is a common mistake.
Permitted. The supplement findings apply to concentrated doses, not to food colouring.
Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E160A
Also on the label, not assessed here yet
- E160C Paprika extract, capsanthin colour
- E331 Sodium citrates acidity regulator
- E392 Extracts of rosemary antioxidant
- E461 Methyl cellulose thickener
Names and jobs come from the register of additives permitted in Great Britain, which we have not finished transcribing: a code shown without a name is a gap in our coverage, not a finding that it is unapproved. Naming one is not grading it either. Full detail appears only where we have an assessment against a named authority, so all of this describes our coverage rather than these additives. Most are common and low concern.
Ingredients
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫, Processed Cheese (25%) [Cheddar Cheese (𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐤), Water, Emulsifying Salt: Sodium Citrates; Colours: Carotenes, Paprika Extract, 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐤 Fat, 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐤 Protein, Whey Powder (𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐤), Salt], Cooked Macaroni (19%) (Water, Durum 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 Semolina), , 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐤, Water, Rapeseed Oil, Medium Fat Hard Cheese (𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐤), Cheese Powder [Cheddar Cheese, Emulsifying Salt: Sodium Phosphates], Potato Starch, 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 Starch, Salt, Yeast, Thickener: Methyl Cellulose; Dextrose, 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐧, Spices (Turmeric, Paprika), White Pepper, Dried Parsley, Antioxidant: Extract Of Rosemary; Spice Extract.
As printed on the pack, in the producer's own order: ingredients are listed by weight, so what comes first is most of what is in it. E numbers link to their assessment where we have one.