/ / BANZA - Chickpea Pasta Mac & Cheese - Shells And Classic Cheddar - Case Of 6 - 5.5 OZ Each

BANZA - Chickpea Pasta Mac & Cheese - Shells And Classic Cheddar - Case Of 6 - 5.5 OZ Each

Contains xanthan gum

Chickpea-shells mac and cheese provides 18 g protein and 8 g fiber per serving, and is labeled gluten free. It also has 680 mg sodium per serving and contains xanthan gum and disodium phosphate.

Seed-oil freeNo added sugarNo artificial dyesNo artificial flavorsNo natural flavorsNo synthetic preservativesNo added nitritesGluten-free (label)Contains dairy
$28.94 5.5 oz · lowest price at Life Goods
Price and stock checked Oct 29, 2026
Key nutrition facts
260caloriesPer serving · 2.5oz (71g)
Protein
18g▲
Fiber
8g▲
Added sugar
—
Sodium
680mg▼
Saturated fat
3g▼
▲ raises the score · ▼ lowers it · From the product label
Ingredients: Chickpeas, Tapioca, Pea Protein, Xanthan Gum, Cheddar Cheese (Cultured Pasteurized Milk, Salt, Enzymes), Nonfat Milk, Buttermilk, Butter (Cream, Salt), Salt, Cultured Whole Milk, Disodium Phosphate, Annatto and Paprika Extract, Lactic Acid, Silicon Dioxide
On Open Food FactsNOVA 4Ultra-processed foodTheir grades, for reference; not part of our score. Data: Open Food Facts (ODbL).
61 / 100
Fair Scored automatically
Weighted as grain productsHigh confidence · Scored on 10 of 11 inputs, 1 claim verified
Nutrition · counts 35%58
Ingredients · counts 20%82
Processing · counts 15%30
Sourcing · counts 15%70
Transparency · counts 15%65
Why it scores 61
Nutrition 58 · Compared with other grain foods: more sodium (680 mg), more saturated fat (3 g), more fiber (8 g); no added sugar per 2.5oz
Ingredients 82 · Added phosphates (additive, −10); Annatto (additive, −4); Silicon dioxide (additive, −4)
Processing 30 · Chickpea pasta with pea protein, xanthan gum and disodium phosphate
Sourcing 70 · The product claims rBST-free dairy; chickpea origin isn't stated
Transparency 65 · Full ingredient list and rBST-free claim; no farm or chickpea origin stated
680 mg sodium per serving
Contains xanthan gum and disodium phosphate
Evidence behind the Ingredients deductions
Varies by additive−18 for added phosphates, annatto, silicon dioxide
Scored Oct 20, 2026 · Scoring guide v3.1 · Updated Oct 20, 2026 · See what changed

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Ingredients
Chickpeas Tapioca Pea Protein Xanthan Gum Cheddar Cheese (Cultured Pasteurized Milk, Salt, Enzymes) Nonfat Milk Buttermilk Butter (Cream, Salt) Salt Cultured Whole Milk Disodium Phosphate Annatto and Paprika Extract Lactic Acid Silicon Dioxide
14 ingredients 1 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.
Silicon dioxide (E551)Anti-caking agentLimited risk
Approved, but EFSA noted in 2018 that data on its nano-sized particles were too limited to set a safe intake.
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.

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