Does Kraft Mac and Cheese Have Palm Oil?

November 13, 2025 •

4 min read

Did you know that palm oil is used in nearly 50% of packaged products found in supermarkets globally? This ingredient's widespread use often raises questions for consumers, including, 'Does Kraft mac and cheese have palm oil?'

Quick Summary

The Original Kraft Mac & Cheese with powdered sauce uses palm oil, while Deluxe versions with liquid cheese sauce typically use canola oil. Ingredients can vary by product and country, so always check the label.

Key Points

Check the Version: Only the classic Kraft mac and cheese with the powdered cheese mix contains palm oil.
Deluxe is Different: Kraft Deluxe mac and cheese, featuring a pre-made liquid sauce, uses canola oil instead of palm oil.
Manufacturer Logic: Palm oil is included in the powdered mix for its low cost, long shelf life, and ability to create a creamy texture.
Regional Variations Exist: Always check the specific ingredient list, as formulas can change based on the country or market.
Health Consideration: While a better alternative to trans fats, palm oil is high in saturated fat and less heart-healthy than oils like canola or olive oil.

The Different Formulas of Kraft Mac & Cheese

When asking "Does Kraft mac and cheese have palm oil?", the answer depends entirely on which specific product line you're purchasing. Kraft Heinz produces various mac and cheese products, and a careful look at the ingredient lists reveals significant differences in their formulas, particularly concerning the type of oil used.

The Classic Box with Powdered Cheese

For many, the iconic blue box is the quintessential image of Kraft mac and cheese. This version features a packet of powdered cheese mix that you combine with milk and margarine or butter. If you examine the ingredient list on a standard box of Kraft Original Flavor Mac & Cheese, you will find palm oil listed in the "Cheese Sauce Mix" ingredients. The presence of palm oil in this shelf-stable powder helps with texture and extends the product's shelf life, ensuring the powdered mix stays consistent over time. The oil's semi-solid state at room temperature is beneficial for creating a creamy texture when mixed with milk, making it a functional and cost-effective ingredient for food manufacturers.

The Deluxe Box with Creamy Sauce

In contrast to the classic version, Kraft's Deluxe macaroni and cheese line comes with a ready-to-use liquid cheese sauce. A review of the ingredient lists for products like Kraft Deluxe Original Cheddar reveals a key difference: these versions do not list palm oil. Instead, the cheese sauce is typically made with canola oil. This substitution results in a sauce with a different texture and mouthfeel, offering consumers a different mac and cheese experience. The pre-made sauce format allows for the use of a liquid oil like canola, as the product is already in its creamy, final form.

Why Palm Oil is Common in Processed Foods

Palm oil's ubiquity in processed foods is due to several advantageous properties that benefit manufacturers and consumers alike. Its versatility makes it a valuable and widely used ingredient. These benefits include:

Longer Shelf-Life: Palm oil is naturally resistant to oxidation, which means it helps prevent food from going rancid and extends the product's lifespan.
Enhanced Texture: At room temperature, palm oil is semi-solid, which gives products like spreads and baked goods a desirable texture. This also contributes to the smooth, creamy consistency of the finished mac and cheese.
High-Temperature Stability: Its high heat tolerance makes it an excellent oil for frying, contributing a crispy, crunchy texture to fried items.
Cost-Effectiveness: Palm oil is an extremely high-yielding crop, making it more efficient and less expensive to produce than many other vegetable oils. This lower cost helps keep consumer product prices down.
Trans-Fat Alternative: As trans fats have been phased out due to health concerns, palm oil has served as a readily available and functional alternative for food manufacturers.

Checking the Ingredients: Regional Variations and the Fine Print

It is always wise to read the ingredient label of any food product you purchase, and this is especially true for Kraft mac and cheese. Ingredient formulas can differ based on regional variations or for specific international markets. For instance, a version sold in the UK or Australia might have a slightly different recipe compared to the standard North American product. By checking the label, you can confirm whether palm oil is used in the specific item you intend to buy.

A Side-by-Side Comparison of Oil Content


Feature	Kraft Original Mac & Cheese (Powdered)	Kraft Deluxe Mac & Cheese (Liquid Sauce)
Oil Used	Palm Oil	Canola Oil
Application	Part of the powdered cheese mix	Contained within the pre-made liquid cheese sauce
Texture	Mixes into a creamy sauce with butter and milk	Creamy sauce from the pouch
Reason for Use	Shelf-stable, functional fat source for powdered mix	Liquid oil suitable for a prepared, creamy sauce

Conclusion: The Final Verdict on Palm Oil in Kraft Mac & Cheese

In summary, the presence of palm oil in Kraft mac and cheese is not universal across the brand's product range. The classic, iconic blue box version containing a powdered cheese mix does include palm oil in its ingredients. However, the Deluxe versions, which come with a pre-made liquid cheese sauce, do not, opting instead for canola oil. This highlights the importance of checking the ingredient list for the specific product you are buying, as brand-wide assumptions can be misleading. While palm oil is a functional ingredient for manufacturers, concerns about its health impacts compared to other vegetable oils, like olive oil, persist. Ultimately, staying informed about ingredient variations allows consumers to make choices that align with their personal preferences and dietary needs. For more information on food fats, consider consulting reliable health resources like the Harvard Health article on palm oil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the Kraft Deluxe varieties with the liquid cheese sauce are typically made with canola oil and do not contain palm oil in their ingredients.

Palm oil is a cost-effective and highly functional ingredient. It helps create a desirable, creamy texture, acts as a preservative to extend shelf life, and is semi-solid at room temperature, which is useful for the dry mix.

No. As this article explains, the Classic boxed dinner contains palm oil, but the Deluxe versions, which have a ready-made liquid cheese sauce, use canola oil.

Yes, ingredient lists for Kraft mac and cheese products can vary significantly depending on the country or region of sale. It's best to check the label on the specific box you are purchasing.

Compared to harmful trans fats, palm oil is considered a healthier alternative. However, it is high in saturated fat, making it less heart-healthy than monounsaturated and polyunsaturated oils like canola or olive oil.

Palm oil is extracted from the fruit of the oil palm tree, while palm kernel oil comes from the seed inside the fruit. Palm kernel oil is more saturated than regular palm oil and is also used in processed foods and non-food products.

To avoid palm oil, you can choose the Kraft Deluxe version made with canola oil or opt for mac and cheese products from other brands that use alternative oils. The most reliable method is to always check the ingredient label before buying.