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Crav'n Flavor Macaroni & Cheese Bites Bite Sized Mac & Cheese in a Crispy Golden Breading, Macaroni & Cheese Bites

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Lower scores accompany better foods.
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How it compares
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Label for Crav'n Flavor Macaroni & Cheese Bites Bite Sized Mac & Cheese in a Crispy Golden Breading, Macaroni & Cheese Bites captured by LabelINSIGHT on Jan 14, 2020 Tell us if the product name is misspelled.

EWG Overall Score Breakdown

The product score is based on weighted scores for nutrition, ingredient and processing concerns. Generally, nutrition counts most, ingredient concerns next and degree of processing least. The weighted scores are added together to determine the final score. Read more about scores here.

EWG Overall Score Breakdown


EWG scored on three factors: nutrition, ingredient concerns, and the degree of processing. Read the full scoring methodology.

Score
Lower concern
Higher concern
Lower concern
Higher concern
1
10

Read our full methodology

Nutrition Concern Details

Level

Considers calories, saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, sodium, protein, fiber and fruit, vegetable and nut content to differentiate between healthful and less healthful foods. For more information on nutrition concerns, read our full methodology.

Contains ingredients that may contribute small amounts of unhealthy artificial trans fats: Canola Oil and Soy Bean Oil [read more]

Contains 42% of the Institute of Medicine's daily sodium (salt) recommendations based on adequate intake [read more]

This product contains added sugar ingredients: Sugars [read more]

The nutrition factors used for scoring Crav'n Flavor Macaroni & Cheese Bites Bite Sized Mac & Cheese in a Crispy Golden Breading, Macaroni & Cheese Bites
Positive factors
Fruit, vegetable, bean or nut content
Protein content
Fiber content
Omega-3 fatty acids
Negative factors
Calorie density
Sugar/low-calorie sweetener content
Sodium content
Saturated fat content
Trans fat content

Ingredient Concern Details

Level

Considers food additives, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and contaminants like mercury and BPA, which can affect human health and the environment. For more information on ingredient concerns, read methodology.

This product is not certified organic [read more]

Contains 2 of EWG's top food additives of concern: YELLOW 5 and YELLOW 6

Ingredient(s) likely derived from antibiotic-treated animals [read more]

Ingredient(s) derived from animals that may have been treated with hormones and/or growth promoters [read more]

This product has 12 ingredients with concerns:

Processing Concern Details

Level

Estimates how much the food has been processed. Considers many factors, chief among them, modification of individual ingredients from whole foods and number of artificial ingredients. For more information on processing concerns, read our full methodology.

Product has been classified as having high processing concerns

Products with moderate and high processing concerns generally have more artificial ingredients, more ingredients that have been significantly modified from whole foods, and more ingredients overall.

EWG's Top Findings

This product is not certified organic [read more]

This product is not certified organic

Products bearing the USDA certified organic seal must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredient, and must be produced without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and free of genetically engineered ingredients.

Contains food additives of moderate concern

Contains 2 of EWG's top food additives of concern: YELLOW 5 and YELLOW 6

Ingredient(s) likely derived from antibiotic-treated animals [read more]

Ingredient(s) likely derived from antibiotic-tr...

One or more ingredients in this product derived from animals likely treated with antibiotics. Many animals are fed low doses of antibiotics throughout their lifespan to speed growth and prevent diseases. These non-essential uses promote antibiotic resistance, posing a serious risk to human health.

Ingredient(s) derived from animals that may have been treated with hormones and/or growth promoters [read more]

Ingredient(s) derived from animals that may hav...

This food contains fats derived from animals that were possibly treated with antibiotics and artificial growth promoters.

Contains ingredients that may contribute small amounts of unhealthy artificial trans fats: Canola Oil and Soy Bean Oil [read more]

Contains ingredients that may contribute small ...

Both refined oils and fully hydrogenated oils contain small amounts of unhealthy artificial trans fats and contribute to the total intake of trans fat in the diet (Biofortis 2014). Artificial trans fats are generated in refined oils when they are processed at high temperatures from the crude oil into a bland, odorless, colorless oil (Greyt 1999). A 2012 study conducted by FDA scientists estimated that refined oil contributes an average 0.6 grams of trans fat a day (Doell 2012). The World Health Organization recommends limits on trans fat of less than 1 to 2 grams a day—in this context, it’s easy to see that 0.6 grams is not an insignificant contribution. In the case of fully hydrogenated oils, they should theoretically be free of trans fat, but since no hydrogenation process is 100 percent efficient, trans fats are often found in fully hydrogenated oils at low levels (FDA 2013). The United States Department of Agriculture National Nutrition Database has tested refined, partially hydrogenated and fully hydrogenated oils and found trans fats in all of them (USDA 2013). Textbooks for food scientists reveal that the mono and di-glycerides and other emulsifiers are often made from hydrogenated fats (Hasenhuettl and Hartel 2008) and at temperatures above 220°C (Sikorski and Kolakowka 2011). Emulsifiers produced from hydrogenated fats “contain measurable concentrations" of trans fats (Hasenhuettl and Hartel 2008). Unfortunately, due to lack of label disclosure and the trans fat labeling loophole, only the food scientists will ever know just how much trans fat these refined oils and emulsifiers are contributing to foods and the American diet.

Contains the non-specific ingredient "flavor" [read more]

Contains the non-specific ingredient "flavor"

Added "flavors" are secret and often complex mixtures of chemicals that modify and manipulate the taste and smell of food. The lack of disclosure is a public right to know issue and especially concerning to people with unusual food allergies or on restricted diets.

Contains 42% of the Institute of Medicine's daily sodium (salt) recommendations based on adequate intake [read more]

Contains 42% of the Institute of Medicine's dai...

This product contains a high percentage of the Institute of Medicine's recommended adequate intake for sodium of 1500 mg a day (IOM 2005). This value is much lower than what the FDA requires be listed on food labels -- 2400 mg. Americans average 3,400 mg of sodium a day. Most of this sodium comes from processed foods where sodium is added to mask the lack of freshness by enhancing the flavor, texture or palatability and extending shelf-life (IOM 2010). Many of these uses are for the manufacturers benefit and not the consumer's health as excess sodium intake is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and kidney disease (IOM 2010).

This product contains added sugar ingredients: Sugars [read more]

This product contains added sugar ingredients: ...

Eating too much of any type of sugar can lead to tooth decay. Added sugars like high fructose corn syrup, honey, sugar and dextrose are more concerning than natural sugars like raisins because they can lead to obesity by adding calories without being accompanied by important nutrients like potassium, vitamin C or fiber. Americans average 22 teaspoons of added sugar a day (NCI 2010; USDA and DHHS 2010). The World Health Organization recommends no more than 6 to 12 teaspoons of added sugar a day for adults, children should eat even less (WHO 2002; WHO 2014).

Product has been classified as having high processing concerns

EWG Food Reports

Natural vs. Artificial Flavors

EWG's Good Food On A Tight Budget

Getting Arsenic Out of Your (And Your Kids') Diet

EWG's 2014 Shopper's Guide to Avoiding GE Food

Why GE Foods are not "Natural"

Ingredient List

From the Package

MACARONI [WATER, ENRICHED SEMOLINA (DURUM WHEAT SEMOLINA, FERROUS SULFATE, NIACIN, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID)], WATER, ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), PASTEURIZED PROCESS CHEDDAR CHEESE [CHEDDAR CHEESE (MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES), WATER, MILKFAT, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE, SALT, ARTIFICIAL COLOR], VEGETABLE OIL (SOYBEAN AND/OR CANOLA OIL), ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), YELLOW CORN FLOUR. CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF ANNATTO EXTRACT (COLOR), BUTTERMILK POWDER, CHEESE POWDER [WHEY, BUTTERMILK SOLIDS, CHEESES (GRANULAR AND CHEDDAR (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES)), WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, SALT, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, CITRIC ACID, YELLOW 5, YELLOW 6, LACTIC ACID, ENZYME], CHEESE SAUCE MIX [DEHYDRATED BLEND OF CHEESE (SEMISOFT AND CHEDDAR CHEESES (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES)), MODIFIED CORN STARCH, WHEY, SALT, CELLULOSE GUM, BUTTER (CREAM, SALT), SODIUM PHOSPHATE, SILICON DIOXIDE, LACTIC ACID, CITRIC ACID, YELLOW 5, YELLOW 6], CITRIC ACID, DRIED GARLIC, DRIED ONION, LACTIC ACID, LEAVENING (SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE, MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE), MODIFIED CORN STARCH, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL CHEESE FLAVOR (CHEDDAR CHEESE FLAVOR [MILK, MALTODEXTRIN, BACTERIAL CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR], BUTTERMILK, WHEY, AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT, CHEESE FLAVOR [MILK, BACTERIAL CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES], CULTURED WHEY, SALT, CREAM), NATURAL FLAVOR, NONFAT MILK, PAPRIKA EXTRACT (COLOR), SALT, SPICES, SUGAR, TURMERIC EXTRACT (COLOR), WHEAT STARCH, WHEY, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE.

*Older Product

Products remain in the database for two years after their label information is recorded in stores. A product with label information last recorded more than a year ago is marked with an * identifying it as an older product.

*Discontinued Product

Products remain in the Database for two years after their label information is recorded in stores, even when they have been discontinued (products may remain in stores and pantries long past the date they cease to be manufactured). EWG marks a product it is aware has been discontinued with a banner identifying it as such.

Product Images

Please note that EWG obtains the displayed images of products from third parties and that the product's manufacturer or packager may change the product's packaging at any point in time. Therefore, EWG assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of images presented.

Other Information

This product contains the following ingredient(s) that may be genetically engineered or derived from GE crops: Corn Flour, Canola Oil, Sugars, Soy Bean Oil, Vegetable Oil, Maltodextrin, Modified Starch (Corn), Lactic Acid, and Citric Acid [read more]

This product contains the following ingredient(...

Scientists have not determined whether GE food poses risks to human health. Still, consumers have many good reasons to avoid eating genetically engineered ingredients, including limited safety studies, the development of "superweeds" and increased pesticide use. For more information on the topic visit: http://www.ewg.org/research/shoppers-guide-to-avoiding-ge-food Note: The presence or absence of genetically engineered ingredients or ingredients derived from GE crops does not affect a product's overall score.

Contains ingredients derived from wheat, milk, egg or soybean - these are considered major food allergens according to the FDA [read more]

Contains ingredients derived from wheat, milk, ...

While over 160 food ingredients may cause allergic reactions current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations stipulate that 8 major food allergens must be labeled on products. These allergens include; milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans. Note: The presence of potential allergens does not affect the overall product score.

Nutrition Facts

0.0 servings per container

Serving Size

4 PIECES

Amount Per 81 g
Calories
220
% Daily Value (based on a 2,000 calorie diet and adult bodyweight)
Update the values for someone:

QUICK FACTS:

14.0 14.0 % Total Fat 11 g
% Protein 5 g

AVOID TOO MUCH:

13.0 13.0 % Saturated Fat 2 g
Trans Fat 0.0g
3.0 3.0 % Cholesterol 10 mg
27.0 27.0 % Sodium 630 mg
Added Sugar Ingredients: Sugars

NUTRIENTS:

3.0 3.0 % Dietary Fiber <1 g
Vitamin D (no value on present label)
6.0 6.0 % Calcium
8.0 8.0 % Iron
0.0 0.0 % Potassium 90 mg

† Institute of Medicine. 2010. "Dietary Reference Intakes Tables and Application." Accessed April 8, 2014: link

 

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