Mac & Four Cheese

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Common questions

Is Mac & Four Cheese healthy?

Mac & Four Cheese scores 60/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — a fair-to-good score — solid, with tradeoffs. This product contains beneficial ingredients like whole milk, cheddar cheese, and olive oil, which provide essential nutrients and healthy fats.

How processed is Mac & Four Cheese?

Mac & Four Cheese is NOVA Group 4: Ultra-Processed Foods.

Which ingredients drive Mac & Four Cheese's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Whole Milk, Vintage Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella Full Fat Soft Cheese count in its favor; Wheat Flour, Sunflower Oil, Sugar are flagged as ingredients of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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Mac & Four Cheese

Tesco's Finest
60 Fair

Analysis updated August 2026 · How Scout scores

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At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 16
Harmful ingredients 3
Owned by Tesco
Category Pasta
Summary

This product contains beneficial ingredients like whole milk, cheddar cheese, and olive oil, which provide essential nutrients and healthy fats. However, the presence of sunflower oil, a seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids, is a concern due to its potential to promote inflammation. Additionally, the product is ultra-processed, which limits its overall healthiness despite some high-quality components.

Key ingredients 31

Whole Milk
Good

Provides balanced macronutrients including natural fats, protein, and calcium.

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Vintage Cheddar Cheese
Good

A traditional aged cheese offering high-quality dairy protein, calcium, and fats.

Mozzarella Full Fat Soft Cheese
Good

Provides quality dairy protein and calcium with a creamy texture.

Single Cream
Good

A dairy fat source that adds rich texture and flavor.

Olive Oil
Good

A heart-healthy monounsaturated fat containing beneficial antioxidants.

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Sea Salt
Good

Minimally processed unrefined mineral salt that provides sodium and trace minerals.

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Mature Cheddar Cheese
Good

A flavorful aged cheese providing wholesome dairy fats and protein.

Medium Fat Soft Cheese
Good

Contributes a smooth dairy texture and protein content.

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Mascarpone Full Fat Soft Cheese
Good

A rich Italian cream cheese adding luxurious texture and dairy fats.

Pecorino Medium Fat Hard Cheese
Good

A traditional sheep's milk cheese offering rich flavor and protein.

Butter
Good

A traditional dairy fat that provides rich flavor and natural fat-soluble vitamins.

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Parsley
Good

A natural herb providing trace nutrients, antioxidants, and vibrant flavor.

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Cheddar Cheese
Good

Classic cheese providing high-quality dairy protein and fats.

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White Pepper
Good

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

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Turmeric
Good

A natural spice containing curcumin, known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

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Niacin
Good

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

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Durum Wheat Semolina
Neutral

Standard milled wheat used for making pasta, providing carbohydrates for energy.

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Water
Neutral

Essential for hydration and used as a basic processing medium.

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Yeast
Neutral

Natural leavening agent used in breadmaking.

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Salt
Neutral

Standard culinary salt used for flavor enhancement.

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Cornflour
Neutral

Natural starch derived from corn used as a thickener.

Mustard Flour
Neutral

Ground mustard seed used as a natural spice for flavor.

Wheat Starch
Neutral

Starch extracted from wheat used for texturizing.

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Citric Acid
Neutral

A common organic acid used for preservation and acidity regulation.

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Whey
Neutral

Liquid whey as a minor dairy ingredient — benign.

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Calcium Carbonate
Neutral

Added mineral nutrient used to enrich flour with calcium.

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Iron
Neutral

Essential dietary mineral used for flour fortification.

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Thiamin
Neutral

Vitamin B1 added to fortify flour for nutritional support.

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Wheat Flour
Bad

Refined grain flour stripped of bran and germ.

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Sugar
Bad

Refined added sugar.

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Sunflower Oil
Very Bad

A highly processed seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can be pro-inflammatory when consumed in excess.

See more about Sunflower Oil →

Processing

Group 4 · Ultra-processed

Ultra-Processed Foods

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