Elbow Macaroni

Image: Open Food Facts (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Common questions

Is Elbow Macaroni healthy?

Elbow Macaroni scores 73/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — a fair-to-good score — solid, with tradeoffs. This elbow macaroni is made primarily from durum wheat semolina, which is a high-quality ingredient providing a good source of protein and energy.

How processed is Elbow Macaroni?

Elbow Macaroni is NOVA Group 3: Processed Foods.

Which ingredients drive Elbow Macaroni's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Niacin, Riboflavin count in its favor. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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Elbow Macaroni

Reggano
73 Good

Analysis updated September 2026 · How Scout scores

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At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 2
Harmful ingredients 0
Owned by Aldi
Category Pasta
Summary

This elbow macaroni is made primarily from durum wheat semolina, which is a high-quality ingredient providing a good source of protein and energy. However, it is a processed food with added vitamins and minerals, which slightly reduces its score. The absence of harmful additives or seed oils contributes positively to its rating, but the processing level limits its maximum potential score.

Key ingredients 7

Niacin
Good

Beneficial ingredient — whole-food or functional value in this product class.

Benefits

Supports energy metabolism and helps maintain healthy skin and nerves.

See more about Niacin →
Riboflavin
Good

Essential B vitamin — beneficial micronutrient.

Benefits

Supports energy production and helps maintain healthy skin and eyes.

See more about Riboflavin →
Durum wheat semolina
Neutral

Standard formulation ingredient — neither beneficial nor harmful at typical use.

Risks

Contains gluten, which may cause issues for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Benefits

Provides a good source of complex carbohydrates and protein, supporting energy levels and muscle maintenance.

See more about Durum wheat semolina →
Iron (ferrous sulfate)
Neutral

Iron is a crucial mineral for oxygen transport in the blood. Ferrous sulfate is a common form used in food fortification. It helps prevent iron deficiency anemia.

Risks

Excessive iron intake can lead to toxicity, especially in individuals with hemochromatosis.

Benefits

Essential for the production of hemoglobin and myoglobin, supporting oxygen transport and energy production.

Thiamin mononitrate
Neutral

Thiamin mononitrate is a synthetic form of vitamin B1 used in food fortification. It supports carbohydrate metabolism and nerve function. It is stable and effective in maintaining thiamin levels in processed foods.

Benefits

Essential for energy metabolism and proper nerve function.

See more about Thiamin mononitrate →
Folic acid
Neutral

Folic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B9 used in food fortification. It is crucial for DNA synthesis and cell division. It helps prevent neural tube defects during pregnancy.

Risks

Excessive intake may mask vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms.

Benefits

Supports DNA synthesis and is essential for fetal development during pregnancy.

See more about Folic acid →
Wheat
Neutral

Wheat is a staple grain providing carbohydrates and some protein. It is a primary ingredient in pasta products. The processing of wheat into flour retains some nutritional value.

Risks

Contains gluten, which may cause issues for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Benefits

Provides energy through carbohydrates and contains some protein and fiber.

See more about Wheat →

Processing

Group 3 · Processed

Processed Foods

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