Panera Bread
Flavor:
Mac & Cheese
Ingredients:
Macaroni And Cheese (Cooked Enriched Macaroni Product [Water, Semolina Wheat, Egg Whites, Egg White Powder, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Water, Cheddar Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Bacterial Cultures, Salt, Microbial Enzymes], Cream, Soybean Oil, Milk, Concentrated Skim Milk, Whey, Skim Milk, Salt, Butter [Cream, Salt], Whey Protein Concentrate, Milk Fat, Sodium Citrate, Cream Powder [Whole Milk, Cream], Milk Protein Concentrate, Dried Cream, Enriched Flour [Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Modified Corn Starch, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, Sodium Alginate, Microbial Enzymes, Calcium Lactate)
Rating: Not Clean
- 2 out of 5
Ingredient Score:
Rating: 2/5 Green Leaves
The ‘Panera Bread Mac & Cheese’ receives a modest rating of 2 out of 5 green leaves on our scale of cleaner food options. This product is not organic and contains genetically modified (GMO) ingredients, which detracts from its clean food status. Additionally, the presence of potentially harmful additives and the use of soybean oil, a harmful oil, further reduce its score.
The ingredient list for the Panera Bread Mac & Cheese includes enriched macaroni product made with semolina wheat and egg whites, among other vitamins and minerals. The cheese component consists of pasteurized milk and microbial enzymes, while the creamy texture is achieved with the addition of cream, milk, and butter. However, the product’s commitment to cleaner ingredients is undermined by the inclusion of non-organic elements and the use of soybean oil, which is a less desirable oil option due to its processing methods and potential health impacts.
Moreover, the product contains a range of additives such as enriched flour, xanthan gum, sodium citrate, modified corn starch, guar gum, and sodium alginate. These additives are often used to enhance texture and shelf life but are considered less favorable in the context of clean eating. The presence of these ingredients contributes to the product’s lower rating, as they do not align with the principles of providing cleaner and more naturally derived food options.
The Panera Bread Mac & Cheese could improve its standing by addressing these concerns. Switching to organic ingredients, eliminating GMOs, and removing potentially harmful additives and oils would help elevate the product to a cleaner, more health-conscious choice for consumers. Until such changes are made, the product remains a less optimal selection for those seeking out the cleanest food alternatives in the market.
Certifications:
None
Product formulations and certifications may change. For current nutrition facts and ingredient
line information, check product packaging.
Categories:
None
Alternatives
No Items found.
How We Rate
Every company today has a responsibility to be a net positive for the planet,
for society, and for our ecosystem