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Mac & Cheese
Kraft
Barcode 021000658831
CAUTIONIs Mac & Cheese safe?
Mac & Cheese by Kraft is rated CAUTION by BannedPantry: its label lists 1 ingredient that is banned or restricted outside the US — Annatto Norbixin (EU (authorized, restricted uses)). All of them are still legal to sell in the US.
Flagged ingredients (1)
Banned or restricted in: EU (authorized, restricted uses)
E160b (annatto/norbixin) is an authorized food colour in the EU, permitted only in specified food categories at set maximum levels under Reg (EC) 1333/2008 Annex II following EFSA's 2020 re-evaluation; it is not banned. In the US it is exempt from batch certification and permitted for foods generally (21 CFR 73.30).
Cleaner swaps for Mac & Cheese
Same category, none of the flagged ingredients.
Banza Chickpea Mac & Cheese Variety
Banza
Chickpea pasta, no artificial dyes, no preservatives.
Annie's Organic Shells & White Cheddar
Annie's
USDA Organic, no Yellow 5/6, no artificial colors.
Modern Table Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
Modern Table
Plant-based, no artificial colors.
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Full ingredient list
ENRICHED MACARONI (WHEAT FLOUR, DURUM FLOUR, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE [IRON], THIAMIN MONONITRATE [VITAMIN B1], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], FOLIC ACID), CHEESE SAUCE MIX (WHEY, MILKFAT, SALT, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, SODIUM TRIPHOSPHATE, TAPIOCA FLOUR, CITRIC ACID, CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, LACTIC ACID, PAPRIKA, TURMERIC, ANNATTO, CHEESE CULTURE, ENZYMES)
Common questions
Is Mac & Cheese banned in the United States?
No — every ingredient in Mac & Cheese is currently legal to sell in the US. However, Annatto Norbixin is banned or restricted in other regions: Annatto Norbixin (EU (authorized, restricted uses)).
Which ingredients in Mac & Cheese are flagged?
Annatto Norbixin: E160b (annatto/norbixin) is an authorized food colour in the EU, permitted only in specified food categories at set maximum levels under Reg (EC) 1333/2008 Annex II following EFSA's 2020 re-evaluation; it is not banned. In the US it is exempt from batch certification and permitted for foods generally (21 CFR 73.30).
What does the CAUTION rating mean?
BannedPantry checks each labeled ingredient against food and cosmetic safety standards from the EU, UK, Canada, Japan, and California, with a citation for every flag. CAUTION means one or more labeled ingredients are restricted (but not outright banned) by a major overseas regulator. Ratings are never influenced by brands.
What can I buy instead of Mac & Cheese?
Comparable products without the flagged ingredients include Banza Chickpea Mac & Cheese Variety (Banza), Annie's Organic Shells & White Cheddar (Annie's), Modern Table Cauliflower Mac & Cheese (Modern Table). You can also scan any product's barcode free at https://bannedpantry.com to check it before you buy.
Run a full ingredient scan
See exactly which ingredients in Mac & Cheese are banned overseas, with sources.
Scan now →BannedPantry — Our scores are never influenced by brands.