Mac & Cheese That Goes To 11. It's One Better.

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Sep 28, 2005 2:00PM

Chicagoist can't remember the last time we purchased a box of macaroni and cheese. We think it was around the same time we purchased ramen noodles, but don't quote us on it. Either way learning to cook allowed us to wean ourselves off the teat of processed, pre-packaged comfort food.

In an article in yesterday's Crain's Chicago Business, Northfield-based Kraft Foods announced that it will introduce "Super Mac & Cheese" later this month. The vitamin-enriched, trans faty acid free, whole grain pasta shaped like cartoon characters like Spongebob Squarepants and Spider-Man is being targeted to health-conscious parents. The unveiling of Super Mac & Cheese is the latest move by the food giant inintroducing helathy purchase options. Earlier this year Kraft rolled out trans-fat free Oreos and Chips Ahoy cookies made with whole grain. Revenue also plays a small factor; sales of Kraft Mac & Cheese were down 5.8 percent for the first eight months of the year compared to the same time frame last year.

While we applaud Kraft for these health-conscious decisions, we have one question? Doesn't putting that gooey orange cheese sauce in the mix sort of cancel the benefits of the whole grain out? How about "Super Mac & Four Cheese?" Or tie in being health conscious with a child's development and make whole grain Peckeroni and Titaroni so parents can feed their children healthy food, give them the birds-and-bees talk, and show them that boobies and peckers come in all sizes and colors?