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Tomato Basil Penne Hamburger Helper

Tomato Basil Penne Hamburger Helper nutrition label, ingredients and packaging

Likely Vegan

No animal ingredients found

Health ScorePoor
45/100

Banned in EU

Contains Red 40.

Calories
364
Sugar
15g
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Family & Pet Safety

🚫

Not Dog Safe 🐶❌

⚠️ SODIUM ION POISONING: Vomiting, seizures (in high doses).
Ref: Merck Vet
🤰

Pregnancy Safe? 🤰✅

Safe for consumption.

👶

Limit for Kids 👶⚠️

⚠️ DYE E129: Linked to ADHD/Hyperactivity. (CSPI / Southampton Study)
⚠️ DYE E102: Behavioral triggers & Allergies. (EFSA / CSPI)
⚠️ SENSITIVITY: Headaches in sensitive kids. (FDA)

Ingredient Decoder

High Risk Additives

Red 40 (Allura Red)

A synthetic petroleum-based dye used to create bright red colors in candy and drinks. It has been linked to hyperactivity and attention issues in sensitive children. Banned in parts of Europe for use in baby food.

Moderate Caution

Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)

A synthetic lemon-yellow azo dye derived from coal tar. It is known to cause allergic reactions (like hives) in people with aspirin intolerance and has been linked to behavioral changes in children.

Maltodextrin

A highly processed white powder from corn or wheat. It has a higher Glycemic Index than table sugar (spiking insulin rapidly) and can suppress good gut bacteria.

Caramel Color

The brown color in colas. Class III and IV caramel coloring contain 4-MEI, a chemical byproduct that is a possible human carcinogen.

Sunflower Oil

Often perceived as healthy, but high-oleic versions are better. Standard sunflower oil is very high in inflammatory Omega-6s.

Full Ingredients List:

Enriched pasta (wheat flour, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), sugar, corn starch, maltodextrin, wheat flour, salt, tomato*, monosodium glutamate, citric acid, paprika, vegetable oil (canola, soybean and/or sunflower oil), basil, natural flavor, spices, malic acid, parsley*, color (caramel color, yellow lakes 5 & 6, yellow 5 & 6, red 40 lake), silicon dioxide (anticaking agent), yeast extract.*dried

Diet Compatibility

🌱

Vegan

OK

🌾

Gluten-Free

Avoid

🥩

Keto

Avoid

What you need to know

Fat in low quantity (1.52g)

This product contains a low amount of fat. A healthy choice for your heart.

Source: National Health Service UK (NHS) - Fat: the facts

Saturated Fat in low quantity (0g)

Saturated fat in low quantity. Good for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.

Source: National Health Service UK (NHS)

Sugars in moderate quantity (15.2g)

Sugars in moderate quantity.

Source: National Health Service UK (NHS) - Sugar: the facts

Salt in high quantity (4.09g)

High consumption of salt can cause raised blood pressure and stroke risk. Most people consume twice the recommended limit.

Source: WHO - Fact sheet - Salt reduction

Health Benefits

  • Convenient Snack

Cons & Warnings

  • Contains Red 40 (Allura Red)
  • High Sodium

Processing Level

Based on ingredient analysis (NOVA System)

NOVA 4: Ultra Processed

Analysis Report

Elena Rodriguez

Elena Rodriguez

Health Coach

"Elena focuses on practical nutrition for families."

Health Integrity Analysis

Is Tomato Basil Penne Hamburger Helper truly good for you, or is it just clever marketing? We analyzed the nutritional density, ingredient safety, and processing levels using the CakeID Algorithm. With a calculated health score of 45/100, here is the deep dive into what you are actually eating.

⚠️ Additive Watch: Critical Flags

The ingredient list reveals the presence of Red 40 (Allura Red). A synthetic petroleum-based dye used to create bright red colors in candy and drinks. It has been linked to hyperactivity and attention issues in sensitive children. Banned in parts of Europe for use in baby food. For health-conscious consumers, this is a significant red flag that lowered the product's overall score.

The Sugar Reality Check

This product contains 15g of sugar per 100g. To put that into perspective, that's equivalent to eating roughly 4 sugar cubes directly. While it might taste great, such a high glycemic load can lead to rapid insulin spikes followed by energy crashes.

Final Verdict

Taking into account the macro-nutrient balance, additive risks, and caloric density, Tomato Basil Penne Hamburger Helper achieves a CakeID Score of 45/100.

Treat Only: Due to the low score, we recommend enjoying this only as an occasional treat rather than a dietary staple.

Health Recommendations

Sodium Watch

Contains 4.1g salt/100g. Drink water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tomato Basil Penne Hamburger Helper healthy?
It depends on your goals. With a score of 45/100, it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Is Tomato Basil Penne Hamburger Helper Vegan?
Likely Yes. Our analysis found no animal-derived ingredients.
Does it contain harmful additives?
Yes, it contains Red 40 (Allura Red), which is flagged in our database.
Disclaimer: The information provided by CakeID is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Always consult a professional for dietary concerns.

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Official GTIN Code

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 package

Amount per serving
Calories
364
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g3%
Saturated Fat 0g0%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 2000mg87%
Total Carbohydrate 82g30%
Dietary Fiber 3g11%
Total Sugars 15g
Protein 9g
Vitamin D 0mcg0%
Calcium 0mg0%
Iron 0mg0%
Potassium 0mg0%

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Burn It Off

To burn off the 364 kcal in 100g, you'd need to:

36
Run
46
Cycle
91
Walk

Sugar Visualization

1 cube ≈ 4g sugar (Contains ~4 cubes)

Macros

FDA Check

Passed. No active recalls.