Least Processed Foods at Whole Foods
365 by Whole Foods Market is the clean-label store brand with 15,000+ products in our database. Whole Foods bans over 260 ingredients from their store brands that other retailers allow, resulting in measurably lower processing scores across most categories.
Whole Foods at a Glance
15 Least Processed Whole Foods Brands
Brands ranked by lowest average processing score across all their products in this category.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 365 whole food market | 6 | 3.1 3.7 | 0 | 3 |
| 2 | 365 organic everyday value | 12 | 3.6 6.8 | 0 | 6 |
| 3 | 365 whole foods market | 4,665 | 3.9 4.3 | 234 | 1728 |
| 4 | 365 everyday value | 4,934 | 3.9 4.9 | 185 | 1733 |
| 5 | 365 whole foods market, | 3 | 4.0 4.0 | 0 | 1 |
| 6 | 365 organic | 8 | 4.6 4.7 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | 365 every day value | 3 | 4.7 4.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Whole foods | 5,508 | 5.2 4.8 | 628 | 915 |
| 9 | Whole foods 365 | 6 | 5.8 3.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | 365 | 5 | 5.9 3.5 | 2 | 0 |
Closest Look: Top 5 Least Processed
Least Processed Whole Foods Products
Individual products with the lowest processing scores.
Most Processed Whole Foods Products
Individual products with the highest processing scores.
What to Look for on the Label
- 1365 brand products follow Whole Foods' banned ingredient list — generally cleaner
- 2Even at Whole Foods, check labels — some third-party products contain standard additives
- 3The 365 Organic line has the simplest formulations
- 4Prepared foods and bakery items may score higher than packaged 365 products
Most Processed Whole Foods Brands
For comparison — brands with the highest average processing scores.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 365 | 5 | 5.9 3.5 | 2 | 0 |
| 2 | Whole foods 365 | 6 | 5.8 3.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Whole foods | 5,508 | 5.2 4.8 | 628 | 915 |
| 4 | 365 every day value | 3 | 4.7 4.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | 365 organic | 8 | 4.6 4.7 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | 365 whole foods market, | 3 | 4.0 4.0 | 0 | 1 |
| 7 | 365 everyday value | 4,934 | 3.9 4.9 | 185 | 1733 |
| 8 | 365 whole foods market | 4,665 | 3.9 4.3 | 234 | 1728 |
| 9 | 365 organic everyday value | 12 | 3.6 6.8 | 0 | 6 |
| 10 | 365 whole food market | 6 | 3.1 3.7 | 0 | 3 |
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
Is Whole Foods food really less processed?
Yes, measurably. Whole Foods' banned ingredient list (260+ additives) results in average processing scores 2-3 points lower than conventional grocery store brands.
Is 365 brand the least processed store brand?
Among major national retailers, 365 brand consistently ranks lowest in average processing score, ahead of Good & Gather (Target), Kirkland (Costco), and Great Value (Walmart).
Is the Whole Foods premium worth it?
From a processing standpoint, the data supports that 365 products are measurably less processed. Whether the price premium is worthwhile depends on individual budget priorities.
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.