Is Macaroni and cheese shells aged Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

To understand why this product fails the vegan test, we have to look past the marketing buzzwords like 'organic' and 'non-animal enzymes.' The 'non-animal enzymes' claim is often used to reassure consumers that the cheese isn't made with rennet (which comes from animal stomachs), but that doesn't make the cheese itself vegan. The core issue lies in the dairy content.

First, let's look at the pasta shell itself. It is made from organic wheat flour. This is a standard carbohydrate source, but it makes the product unsuitable for anyone with Celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity. It is plant-based, so the pasta is technically vegan, but it is immediately compromised by the seasoning mix.

The primary offender is the dried organic cheddar cheese. This ingredient is derived from organic cultured pasteurized milk. In the food industry, 'cultured' simply means that bacterial cultures have been added to the milk to develop flavor and acidity before it is turned into cheese. Regardless of the processing, this remains an animal product.

Additionally, the ingredient list includes organic whey. Whey is a byproduct of the cheese-making process—the liquid that separates from the curds. It is strictly a dairy ingredient and is often used in processed foods to boost protein content and enhance flavor. Because both the cheddar and the whey come from milk, the product is classified as a dairy product.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Macaroni and cheese shells aged is a calorie-dense comfort food. A standard serving typically contains between 250 and 300 calories, with the majority of these calories coming from carbohydrates in the wheat flour and fats from the cheese powder.

The product contains a moderate amount of saturated fat due to the cheese and whey. It also provides a small amount of protein (usually around 5-7 grams per serving) derived from the wheat and the milk proteins. Regarding sugar, this specific 'aged' variety usually has low sugar content (often 2g or less), making it a better option than many sweetened processed snacks. However, it is high in sodium, which is typical for cheese-flavored pasta products.