Most Processed Canned Soup Brands
Canned soup ranges from simple broth-based varieties with recognizable vegetables to heavily processed cream soups with modified food starch, MSG, and artificial flavors. Sodium is consistently high across the category (800-1100mg per serving) because salt is the primary flavor vehicle after canning.
Canned Soup at a Glance
15 Most Processed Canned Soup Brands
Brands ranked by highest average processing score across all their products in this category.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandridge food corporation | 6 | 17.9 3.0 | 6 | 0 |
| 2 | Cup noodles | 7 | 15.8 4.2 | 7 | 0 |
| 3 | Pocas | 7 | 15.7 4.0 | 7 | 0 |
| 4 | Nongshim | 156 | 15.3 3.6 | 153 | 0 |
| 5 | Nissin | 200 | 14.2 4.5 | 200 | 0 |
| 6 | Sapporo ichiban | 37 | 13.6 4.4 | 37 | 0 |
| 7 | La moderna | 19 | 13.3 6.5 | 19 | 0 |
| 8 | Ivars | 6 | 13.3 4.0 | 6 | 0 |
| 9 | Panda signature | 6 | 13.3 3.7 | 6 | 0 |
| 10 | Bear creek country kitchens | 116 | 13.3 4.5 | 113 | 0 |
| 11 | Indomie | 6 | 13.2 3.3 | 6 | 0 |
| 12 | Tasty classics | 8 | 12.8 3.3 | 6 | 0 |
| 13 | Fresh food market | 10 | 12.8 3.4 | 7 | 0 |
| 14 | Bear creek | 8 | 12.6 5.8 | 8 | 0 |
| 15 | Readywise | 21 | 12.6 3.9 | 10 | 0 |
Closest Look: Top 5 Most Processed
Least Processed Canned Soup Products
Individual products with the lowest processing scores.
Most Processed Canned Soup Products
Individual products with the highest processing scores.
What to Look for on the Label
- 1Broth or water should be the first ingredient, not "cream base" or "soup stock"
- 2Under 600mg sodium per serving is low for canned soup
- 3Monosodium glutamate (MSG) or "yeast extract" are flavor enhancers that indicate processing
- 4Recognizable vegetable pieces vs smooth purees generally indicates less processing
Least Processed Canned Soup Brands
For comparison — brands with the lowest average processing scores.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tamicon | 5 | 1.0 6.0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2 | Roli roti | 14 | 2.0 5.5 | 0 | 14 |
| 3 | Brodo | 16 | 2.4 5.1 | 0 | 10 |
| 4 | The local epicurean | 6 | 3.0 6.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | War eagle mill | 8 | 3.0 6.9 | 0 | 4 |
| 6 | Bartolini emilio | 8 | 3.0 7.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Savoies | 5 | 3.0 8.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Sierra foods company | 13 | 3.3 6.4 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Frontier | 7 | 3.6 7.9 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Sierra soups | 18 | 3.8 6.1 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Market basket | 14 | 3.9 4.0 | 0 | 4 |
| 12 | Golds | 21 | 3.9 3.9 | 0 | 1 |
| 13 | Frontier soups | 34 | 4.0 9.7 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Sunfed ranch | 9 | 4.0 5.9 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Misogood | 5 | 4.0 5.0 | 0 | 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
Why is sodium so high in canned soup?
Canning reduces flavor perception, so manufacturers compensate with high sodium. Salt also acts as a preservative. Typical canned soup has 800-1100mg sodium per serving — 35-50% of daily recommended intake.
What is modified food starch in soup?
Modified food starch is chemically or physically treated starch used as a thickener. It replaces traditional methods like slow-cooking or using roux, enabling faster industrial production.
Are condensed soups more processed?
Condensed soups are typically more processed because they require additional thickeners, stabilizers, and concentrated flavoring agents to maintain quality when diluted.
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.