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Wednesday, May 28, 2008

New product Wednesday, in Dallas stores: Kraft Macaroni & Cheese crackers

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The crackers are in the shape of little elbow macaroni which is neither adorable nor functional.

The crackers are in the shape of little elbow macaroni which is neither adorable nor functional.

Kraft Macaroni & Cheese crackers are so new, they haven't shown up yet on Kraft's new products page. But a press release floating around says that they "take the beloved cheesy taste of the classic Blue Box and bake it into a delicious, crispy, crunchy cracker made with real cheddar cheese". They come in three flavors: Cheddar, White Cheddar, and Mild Cheddar.

Question No. 1: Is Kraft Macaroni & Cheese really "classic"? It has always seemed like such marginal food. On the other hand, this is a clever tactic by Kraft to spin-off a brand (instant pasta) into an area you'd never expect (crackers). (Kraft's other new products are fairly intriguing, including Cool Whip in a can, an olive oil mayonnaise, and a "bistro" mac & cheese product. But I digress.)

Question No. 2: Have they not heard of Cheez-Its? Or have Cheez-Its, having been created in 1921, fallen off the radar? Kraft tried once already to dethrone Cheez-Its in 2002 with its copycat product Cheese Nips but was unsuccessful. ("Nips", big surprise there.) So here they are, back again with a different version -- supposedly made in an "elbow macaroni shape", though it's really just a vague strand.

While these Mac & Cheese crackers do taste like Cheez-Its (i.e., cheesy), their texture differs. The Mac & Cheese crackers seem light and insubstantial; Cheez-Its have more heft.

Cheez-Its win points for the simplicity of its ingredient list -- just 11 ingredients total, 6 of which constitute less than 2% of the total ingredients. By comparison, Kraft Mac & Cheese crackers contain 32 ingredients such as MSG, dextrose, onion powder, sour cream, and flavor enhancers (those are the ones that are easy to spell). But to their benefit, those 32 ingredients include cheddar cheese, along with blue cheese, Romano, and Parmesan cheese. Cheez-Its' only cheese is skim milk cheese. Does that make it a draw?


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Comments

Kay Anonymous

Sadly, an entire generation has grown up only knowing macaroni and cheese as a boxed product like Kraft's... and all it's unpronounceable ingredients.

The Mayo with olive oil sounds interesting, tho. Might try a small jar of that one.

Just curious, do companies get a government sub-si-die to poison us with MSG?

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

pnewsgal Anonymous

Two words: Cheddar Bunnies (by Annie's)

Better ingredients than Cheez-its. My kids would eat the whole box in a day if allowed.

If you're hooked on the pretend Mac'n'cheese, try Annie's Brand Mac and Cheese with the squeezable cheese in a pouch. Again, better ingredients than "the other guys".

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

capteucalyptus Anonymous

First off, I love Kraft MnC. I think it's a classic even if it's not as "good" as homemade or even velveeta. It has a special place in my fat choked heart.

Second, I really like cheese flavored crackers and good on Kraft for putting more cheese in theirs.

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Teresa Gubbins Staff

nice to hear from the captain. can we take this to mean that you like Cheez-its? also wonder if the eucalyptus spawn enjoy the mac & cheeze

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Billusa99 Anonymous

If Kraft Dinner (as it's called in Canada) is good enough for Bare Naked Ladies, it's good enough for me. I LOVE the stuff.

This crap here, though, I will pass on. NOTHING beats Cheezies! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheezies

Or, as Martha and the Muffins sang on Metro Music, "Cheezies and Gum."

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

twisteddog Anonymous

I boiled these for 8 minutes according to package directions and they weren't crisp at all.

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Kay Anonymous

  1. Cap and Bill....you totally made my sad point!

  2. Twist....it could happen!

  3. 'gal....thumbs up to better/healthier ingredients (and better taste)!

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

pnewsgal Anonymous

what if...gasp...thought...one actually put cheese ON a cracker...

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Mike Orren Staff

TGub brought these to the office. As a Cheez-It afficionado, I'll say that these are a pale substitute.

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Collin Gouldin Verified

I was just about to mention cheddar bunnies, but pnewsgal beat me to it... Good stuff with out the heart burn.

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Fezziwig Anonymous

They just look really unappetizing, like something I'd be embarrassed to have in my cart. And I say this as a big childhood fan of the original Kraft!

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Mike Bullock Staff

The new product reminds me of the standard bar appetizer: gold fish. They have very similar texture with a cheesy taste.

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Billusa99 Anonymous

Goldfish snacks in a bar?

Yeeeeeesh....

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

elbowmacaroni Anonymous

"So here they are, back again with a different version -- supposedly made in an "elbow macaroni shape", though it's really just a vague strand."

Thank you, Teresa Gubbins, for recognizing that Kraft is simply trying to capitalize on my popularity. I demand royalties!!

http://www.myspace.com/elbow_macaroni

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

ch0 Anonymous

Ah, that Mike Orren, a man of many hats...

I thought wheat and wheat were part of the same food group though

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

frankstongal Anonymous

Bring on Bare Naked Ladies and I'll buy you a house.

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Scott Anonymous

What's wrong with MSG, Kay?

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Kay Anonymous

Hi Scott, What's wrong with MSG? Well, Brain damage for one!

I'm a bit surprised that anyone would have to ask, but if you aren't aware it's good you did. The dangers are not something the gov/FDA is interested in you knowing about.

Here is a link to just a tiny bit of info: (For a poison so much in our food supply - as is aspertame that causes similar damages - and with the public's ever increasing awareness of these dangers - it is now sometimes deviously well hidden on labels)

http://tinyurl.com/5bg8p3

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

capteucalyptus Anonymous

"nice to hear from the captain. can we take this to mean that you like Cheez-its? also wonder if the eucalyptus spawn enjoy the mac & cheeze "

I particularly like the green Tabasco flvored Cheez-its. We don't usually do Kraft MnC at home. Ususally we boil up some shells and just add MASSIVE amounts of Velveeta. Occasionally we'll go the extra mile and make a homemade cheese sauce.

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

capteucalyptus Anonymous

"The dangers are not something the gov/FDA is interested in you knowing about."

gasp It's a conspiracy. pheh.

I love the parmesan goldfish crackers.

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

pnewsgal Anonymous

"conspiracy.pheh"

guess that means...gasp...

Smoking is good for you

and

No drug approved by the FDA has ever been recalled

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Scott Doyle Verified

Might as well live off berries in the woods!

(especially the bright ones)

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Collin Gouldin Verified

the FDA is in place to protect the large companies and nothing else. The former commissioner even said so.

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Scott Anonymous

Kay, nearly every peer-reviewed study of MSG has shown its safety for human consumption. Dissenting from mainstream medical opinion is fine, if you feel you have good reason to do so. But thinking a minority position is the majority...well, you shouldn't be surprised if a lot of people disagree with you.

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

pnewsgal Anonymous

Well, who's to say she's in the minority...she may well be in the majority as I've never seen a poll on the matter. But, if we're taking a poll, I would side with Kay. BTW as far as flavor enhancers go...isn't that why we use salt?

And...Right on Collin...

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Kay Anonymous

IMNSHO: Collin is correct. Pnewsgal is also correct.

Cap, Scott and interested readers: I am not asking that you "believe" anything other than what you are fed through the mainstream/corporate system. Perhaps you will find out on your own, providing you live long enough that is.

This is not new information and I would say I am actually in the MAJORITY. Because you are not aware/don't care, doesn't mean those that have searched and researched and ARE aware/care are in the minority. Much depends on your circles of interest perhaps? (and/or lack thereof)

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Scott Anonymous

The FDA has declared MSG safe. The American Medical Association? Safe. The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology? Safe. The European Union's Scientific Committee on Food? Safe. The UN's World Health Organization? Safe.

All I'm saying, Kay, is that your position does not represent the current consensus of medical and public health organizations. You're on the fringe. The fact that you're not aware that you're on the fringe says a great deal about how much you have "searched and researched."

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Kay Anonymous

Scott, Quoting government sources does not make your case any more credible than quoting the Bible makes a case credible about the Bible.

My research is fine. As you seem to stick to corporate/gov "tests" to prove your point....You are just highlighting my point.

Someday you might even venture a reading/re-reading of the 1945 "Animal Farm". 'Believers' might readily identify with Boxer. You too can keep on 'believing'.

If you don't want to know, that's up to you. You asked ...then I responded with true information. Don't keep proving my point for me, I've already made it and am not into debating it. You aren't listening/ aren't interested and it's a total waste of my time. FWIW It's YOUR health, so by all means just keep on keepin' on, just please don't ask me questions when you really don't want to know the answers.

Go Gators!!

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Scott Anonymous

I'll keep on listening to the doctors, Kay, and you keep on listening to those voices in your head.

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Scott Doyle Verified

Needs more citation.

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

pnewsgal Anonymous

"...keep on listening to those voices in your head."

Personal attacks never help you make your point, it just makes you look unprepared.

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

cc Anonymous

Scott, you don't think that the FDA and the other sources(including doctors)you listed above could have had monetary or political motivations? The FDA has also recalled a drug or two that they deemed "safe", and turned out to be anything but.

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

David Gouldin Staff

citation

A friend's son has seizures when he ingests MSG. You can't tell me it's safe for everybody. They've been through hell trying to rid foods that contain MSG from their diets because there's no requirement to label a food as containing MSG, and in fact as the linked article states, even foods that say "no MSG added" may still have some in them.

... and I trust the FDA about as far as I can throw them, personally.

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Collin Gouldin Verified

there's also about 60 other chemicals that the FDA allows companies to put into food and doesn't require them to put on the label.

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Clay213 Anonymous

The amount of nuts on pegasusnews lately is giving me a severe allergy.

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

capteucalyptus Anonymous

I know people who are sensitive to wheat gluten. Does that make it dangerous?

Look I don't think anyone is saying that MSG is good for you. At least I'm not. We (Americans) tend to consume all manner of things that aren't good for you. And the government is to some degree responsible (I'm thinking of corn syrup here). But to call it "poison" to me simply seems like hyperbole.

I'm interested in being healthy which is why we've cut way back on processed foods. It's not becuase I think that the government is "out to get us" which is what it sounds like some here believe.

Yes the FDA has recalled drugs. I think that shows that at least on some level the process works. Should those drugs have been fast tracked? No. So the process isn't perfect. With scrutiny it can be made better.

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

David Gouldin Staff

It would certainly make it dangerous if you had no way of telling if a product had wheat gluten in it other than eating it.

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

chrisdanger Anonymous

HEY! Lets steer the bus back on the road here...We were talking about Cheese Crackers before one lone Lee Harvey here hijacked the comments about MSG. Im also going to guess you also take Art Bell and Alex Jones as gospel truth as well....

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

pnewsgal Anonymous

Art Bell, Alex Jones? Why...do they like Kraft Mac'n'cheese crackers?

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Collin Gouldin Verified

naw, I bet they're Cheddar Bunnies type of people.

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Oudekerk Anonymous

"Personal attacks never help you make your point, it just makes you look unprepared."

You nailed it, pnewsgal. That Scott never does his homework. http://tinyurl.com/5r3zxf

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

David Gouldin Staff

I take it that's sarcasm. Scott's one of the most knowledgeable chocophiles I've ever met!

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Kay Anonymous

Oude,

Maybe 'gal shoulda said something simp'ler like: "When you resort to personal attacks in a discussion, it makes you look like the guy who realized he was outta bullets in a gunfight then - in desperation - just threw the gun at 'em."

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Oudekerk Anonymous

I think this whole discussion is above my pay grade.

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Kay Anonymous

Stearing the bus back on the road only to run it off again? How many directions can one thread go? Maybe we can set yet another Dallas record for the World-Record Book?

Since chrisdanger brought Bell & Jones up, here is (albeit an article from 2005) something about them.

http://tinyurl.com/6pd6ku

And 'gal, sorry, it doesn't seem to even mention cheddar bunnies or KMC crackers...

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Kay Anonymous

CORRECTION: Vanna, can I buy a vowel? "Steering" the bus was the intended word.

4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

FoodCzar Anonymous

My favorite flavor of Cheez-Its is Cheddar Jack. Anyone else care to share?

4 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Teresa Gubbins Staff

Cheez-Its have gone upscale

4 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

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