Least Processed Bread Brands
Industrial bread production relies on dough conditioners like DATEM, emulsifiers, and preservatives such as calcium propionate to achieve shelf lives of 2+ weeks. Traditional bakery bread needs only flour, water, salt, and yeast — four ingredients that score Level 1-2 on our scale.
Bread at a Glance
15 Least Processed Bread Brands
Brands ranked by lowest average processing score across all their products in this category.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sefre | 7 | 2.4 2.1 | 0 | 4 |
| 2 | Calandras italian & french bakery | 14 | 2.8 6.1 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | Wild wheat bakery | 33 | 2.9 5.9 | 0 | 17 |
| 4 | Streits | 11 | 2.9 7.7 | 0 | 3 |
| 5 | Universal bakery | 6 | 3.0 7.3 | 0 | 3 |
| 6 | Di mario fongo | 8 | 3.0 5.3 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Middle east baking co. | 6 | 3.0 7.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Baklava bakery | 8 | 3.0 8.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Mediterranean | 8 | 3.0 7.8 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Middle east bakery | 6 | 3.3 8.3 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Matiz espana | 5 | 3.4 2.8 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Ditsch | 7 | 3.4 5.1 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Di bruno bros | 11 | 3.5 6.4 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | The cheese guy | 8 | 3.5 4.1 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Berkshire mountain bakery | 6 | 3.5 6.8 | 0 | 0 |
Closest Look: Top 5 Least Processed
Least Processed Bread Products
Individual products with the lowest processing scores.
Most Processed Bread Products
Individual products with the highest processing scores.
What to Look for on the Label
- 1Real bread needs only flour, water, salt, and yeast — reject any loaf with 10+ ingredients
- 2Watch for DATEM, azodicarbonamide, and calcium propionate — all signal industrial production
- 3"Whole wheat" does not mean less processed — check the full ingredient list
- 4Look for "slow fermented" or "sourdough" which indicate traditional methods
Most Processed Bread Brands
For comparison — brands with the highest average processing scores.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Golden krust | 5 | 28.6 5.5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2 | Tastykake | 8 | 16.0 2.2 | 8 | 0 |
| 3 | Lenders | 65 | 15.4 4.9 | 60 | 0 |
| 4 | Bill knapps | 38 | 15.3 5.4 | 38 | 0 |
| 5 | Cloverhill bakery | 6 | 15.2 1.8 | 6 | 0 |
| 6 | Vieiras bakery inc. | 6 | 15.1 5.4 | 6 | 0 |
| 7 | Hidden valley | 10 | 14.9 5.8 | 10 | 0 |
| 8 | Butterkrust | 7 | 14.8 4.4 | 7 | 0 |
| 9 | City market | 7 | 14.6 5.4 | 7 | 0 |
| 10 | Cinnabon | 13 | 14.0 3.5 | 13 | 0 |
| 11 | Alpha baking | 6 | 14.0 6.3 | 6 | 0 |
| 12 | Franz bakery | 5 | 13.7 4.2 | 5 | 0 |
| 13 | American classic | 15 | 13.7 1.5 | 15 | 0 |
| 14 | Southern home | 6 | 13.3 5.5 | 6 | 0 |
| 15 | Al cohens | 8 | 13.3 6.5 | 8 | 0 |
How We Score Products
Every product is evaluated using two independent scores. The Processing Score (lower is better) measures the degree of industrial processing based on ingredient analysis, including the presence of artificial additives, preservatives, and highly modified ingredients. The Nutrition Score (higher is better) rates overall nutritional quality, rewarding protein and fiber while penalizing excess sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat.
Products are assigned to one of four processing levels: Minimal (score ≤ 2.5), Processed (2.6 – 5.0), Highly Processed (5.1 – 8.0), and Ultra-Processed (above 8.0). Brand averages are calculated across all products in the category to produce the rankings shown here.
Based on analysis of 1.98 million products in the USDA FoodData Central database. For a deeper look at the methodology, see our Processing Score guide and Two-Score System explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes bread ultra-processed?
Industrial bread adds dough conditioners (DATEM, SSL), preservatives (calcium propionate), and sweeteners (HFCS) to speed production and extend shelf life. These additives can turn a 4-ingredient food into one with 20+ components.
Is sourdough bread less processed?
Yes. Traditional sourdough uses natural fermentation with only flour, water, salt, and starter culture — making it Level 1. However, some commercial "sourdough" adds the same industrial additives as regular bread.
Which bread brands have the fewest ingredients?
The brands ranked here average the lowest processing scores based on ingredient analysis across their entire bread product lines. Artisan and bakery brands typically lead.
Related Food Guides
Learn more about how individual foods are classified.
Disclaimer: All tools and data visualizations are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended as health, medical, or dietary advice. Product formulations change frequently — always check the actual label for current ingredients and nutrition facts before making purchasing decisions. Consult healthcare professionals for personalized dietary guidance.