/ / BANZA - Mac & Cheese Chickpea - Deluxe Elbows + Classic Cheddar - Case Of 6 - 11 OZ Each

BANZA - Mac & Cheese Chickpea - Deluxe Elbows + Classic Cheddar - Case Of 6 - 11 OZ Each

Contains natural flavors

Chickpea elbows provide 20 g protein and 9 g fiber per serving. The cheese sauce contains natural flavors and gums, and dairy sourcing isn't provided.

Seed-oil freeNo added sugarNo artificial dyesNo artificial flavorsNo synthetic preservativesNo added nitritesCertified gluten-freeVegetarianContains dairy
$34.85 11 oz · lowest price at Life Goods
Price and stock checked Oct 30, 2026
Key nutrition facts
310caloriesPer serving · 3.7oz (104g)
Protein
20g▲
Fiber
9g
Added sugar
—
Sodium
770mg▼
Saturated fat
5g▼
▲ raises the score · ▼ lowers it · From the product label
Ingredients: Chickpeas, Tapioca, Pea Protein, Xanthan Gum, Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes), Skim Milk, Concentrated Milkfat, Water, Whey, Sodium Phosphate, Salt, Lactic Acid, Natural Flavors, Sodium Alginate, Organic Fruit Juice and Annatto Extract (color), Xanthan Gum
On Open Food FactsNutri-Score CNOVA 4Ultra-processed foodTheir grades, for reference; not part of our score. Data: Open Food Facts (ODbL).
54 / 100
Fair Scored automatically
Weighted as grain productsHigh confidence · Scored on 9 of 11 inputs
Nutrition · counts 35%49
Ingredients · counts 20%82
Processing · counts 15%30
Sourcing · counts 15%40
Transparency · counts 15%65
Why it scores 54
Nutrition 49 · Compared with other grain foods: more sodium (770 mg), more saturated fat (5 g), more protein (20 g); no added sugar per 3.7oz
Ingredients 82 · Added phosphates (additive, −10); Annatto (additive, −4); Natural flavours (additive, −4)
Processing 30 · Formulated pasta and cheese sauce include protein, gums and flavorings
Sourcing 40 · Chickpeas lead, but tapioca and dairy sourcing are unstated
Transparency 65 · Full ingredient list, but no specific sourcing details
770 mg sodium per serving
Contains natural flavors and gums
Evidence behind the Ingredients deductions
Varies by additive−18 for added phosphates, annatto, natural flavours
Scored Oct 21, 2026 · Scoring guide v3.1 · Updated Oct 20, 2026 · See what changed

Your diet score

Doesn’t change the score above

Pick a diet to see if this product fits it, using limits you can change.

Diet profiles v1.1. Defaults come from published guidance; you can change any limit. How the diet score works

Ingredients
Chickpeas Tapioca Pea Protein Xanthan Gum Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes) Skim Milk Concentrated Milkfat Water Whey Sodium Phosphate Salt Lactic Acid Natural Flavors Sodium Alginate Organic Fruit Juice and Annatto Extract (color) Xanthan Gum
16 ingredients 3 to watch1 to avoid
Sourcing

Origin not disclosed on the product page.

Additives5 additives · 1 moderate risk
Added phosphates (E339–E343, E450–E452)StabiliserModerate risk
Absorbed more readily than natural phosphorus; high intakes are linked to kidney and heart risks, and EFSA set a limit in 2019.
Annatto (E160b)ColourLimited risk
Plant-based colour from achiote seeds; generally safe, but can occasionally cause allergic reactions.
Natural flavoursFlavouringLimited risk
An undisclosed mix of extracts and carriers; the label doesn’t say what’s in it or how it was made.
Xanthan gum (E415)ThickenerNo risk
Made by fermentation; EFSA re-confirmed its safety in 2017, though large amounts can cause bloating.
Lactic acid (E270)AcidNo risk
Made by fermentation; considered safe.
Matched from the ingredient list. Risk levels summarise findings from EFSA, the FDA, IARC and published studies; they explain a concern, not a diagnosis.

Other pantry options

Sandhill Wild Rice
Sandhill Organic Wild Rice
98 $132.00
Fresh Acres
Organic Rye Berries
98 $11.39
Barton Springs Mill
Sonora Wheat Berries (certified organic)
98 $12.00
Everywhere
Lundberg Wild Rice, Regenerative Organic Certified –?100% Natural California Cultivated Wild Black Rice, 8 Oz
98 $15.98