Gastro (Aldi)

Mac & Cheese

Barcode 4061462143076

No — Mac & Cheese is not ultra-processed.

The product is composed of pasta, cheeses, cream, herbs, spices, and basic breading ingredients, along with simple additives like citric acid and lysozyme that are commonly used for preservation or acidity control. It does not contain industrial sweeteners, flavor enhancers, emulsifiers, industrial sugar syrups, maltodextrin, or other hallmark ultra-processed ingredients. Palm fruit oil and similar highly processed specialty fats are absent; the oils present (rapeseed and extra virgin olive oil) are basic culinary fats. Therefore it does not meet NOVA criteria for ultra-processed foods.

Ingredients

No ultra-processed markers

OK

cooked macaroni (30%) (durum wheat semolina, water, extra mature cheddar cheese (milk) (20%), water, skimmed milk mozzarella cheese (4%) milk potato starch)
OK

toasted ciabatta crumb wheat flour (wheat flour, calcium carbonate, iron, niacin, thiamin water, extra virgin olive oil)
OK

salt

Common mineral compound (sodium chloride) used as a seasoning and preservative across cuisines.
OK

yeast

A living microorganism used as a leavening agent in baking.
OK

single cream (milk) mascarpone cheese (milk) rapeseed oil
OK

corn flour (cornstarch)

Fine flour derived from corn used as a thickener in sauces and gravies.
OK

grana padano cheese grana padano cheese milk preservative lysozyme (egg wheat flour wheat flour calcium carbonate, niacin, iron, thiamin) parsley
OK

cheddar cheese (milk) english mustard (water, mustard flour, salt, sugar, wheat starch, yellow mustard flour, citric acid, ground turmeric garlic purée, ground paprika, potato starch, ground white pepper ground nutmeg salt allergy advice:)

Common questions about Mac & Cheese

Is Mac & Cheese ultra-processed?

No — Mac & Cheese by Gastro (Aldi) is not ultra-processed, so it is not a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is composed of pasta, cheeses, cream, herbs, spices, and basic breading ingredients, along with simple additives like citric acid and lysozyme that are commonly used for preservation or acidity control. It does not contain industrial sweeteners, flavor enhancers, emulsifiers, industrial sugar syrups, maltodextrin, or other hallmark ultra-processed ingredients. Palm fruit oil and similar highly processed specialty fats are absent; the oils present (rapeseed and extra virgin olive oil) are basic culinary fats. Therefore it does not meet NOVA criteria for ultra-processed foods.

What does "ultra-processed" (UPF) mean?

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrial formulations made with ingredients and additives you wouldn't find in a home kitchen — such as emulsifiers, artificial flavourings, colourings and modified starches. The classification is based on the NOVA system used by researchers and dietitians worldwide.

How can I check whether other foods are ultra-processed?

Scan any barcode — or photograph the ingredients label — with the free Nomi app for iOS and Android. You'll get an instant ultra-processed verdict with every ingredient explained in plain English.

Product information comes from public databases and Nomi's own analysis, and may contain errors. Always check the packaging. Ultra-processed classification is based on the NOVA food processing system.