Most Processed Crackers Brands
Crackers range from simple flatbreads (flour, water, oil, salt) to highly engineered snack products with cheese powders, artificial flavors, and multiple processing aids. The simplest water crackers score Level 1-2, while flavored snack crackers with 20+ ingredients reach Level 4.
Crackers at a Glance
15 Most Processed Crackers Brands
Brands ranked by highest average processing score across all their products in this category.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bombolo bakery | 12 | 54.8 1.5 | 12 | 0 |
| 2 | Wilton | 157 | 51.0 1.5 | 153 | 0 |
| 3 | Bee | 44 | 46.8 1.3 | 44 | 0 |
| 4 | Candy land | 5 | 40.8 0.2 | 5 | 0 |
| 5 | Inter-american products | 11 | 39.8 3.0 | 11 | 0 |
| 6 | Hyde and eek! | 7 | 39.8 1.0 | 7 | 0 |
| 7 | Tootsie roll | 5 | 39.0 1.2 | 5 | 0 |
| 8 | M&ms | 27 | 37.4 1.5 | 27 | 0 |
| 9 | The elf on the shelf | 7 | 35.3 1.9 | 7 | 0 |
| 10 | Sour patch kids | 6 | 34.6 1.0 | 6 | 0 |
| 11 | Bob & kurts sentry | 15 | 34.3 5.5 | 15 | 0 |
| 12 | Bake shoppe | 6 | 33.2 3.7 | 6 | 0 |
| 13 | Wondershop at target | 17 | 33.1 0.8 | 17 | 0 |
| 14 | Jelly belly | 15 | 32.7 2.8 | 15 | 0 |
| 15 | Three saints baking co. | 6 | 32.6 2.5 | 6 | 0 |
Closest Look: Top 5 Most Processed
Least Processed Crackers Products
Individual products with the lowest processing scores.
Most Processed Crackers Products
Individual products with the highest processing scores.
What to Look for on the Label
- 1Simple crackers list flour, water, oil, and salt — no more than 5-6 ingredients
- 2Avoid crackers with TBHQ, BHT, or partially hydrogenated oils
- 3"Made with whole grains" means some whole grain — check if it is the first ingredient
- 4Cheese-flavored crackers use processed cheese powders with multiple sub-ingredients
Least Processed Crackers Brands
For comparison — brands with the lowest average processing scores.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexian | 5 | 2.0 6.5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2 | Silva | 5 | 2.0 8.0 | 0 | 5 |
| 3 | Rakusens | 5 | 2.0 8.7 | 0 | 5 |
| 4 | Le pain des fleurs | 26 | 2.1 6.2 | 0 | 24 |
| 5 | Laiki | 18 | 2.3 6.4 | 0 | 14 |
| 6 | Lido | 6 | 2.4 4.7 | 0 | 4 |
| 7 | Granarolo | 11 | 2.7 3.2 | 0 | 6 |
| 8 | Koyo | 14 | 2.8 5.3 | 0 | 7 |
| 9 | Kavli | 9 | 2.8 8.8 | 0 | 3 |
| 10 | Fbomb | 16 | 2.9 3.6 | 0 | 8 |
| 11 | Hayden flour mills | 14 | 3.0 6.4 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Yehuda matzos | 9 | 3.0 8.7 | 0 | 7 |
| 13 | Coconut tree brand | 5 | 3.0 10.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Antonio mattei | 5 | 3.0 7.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Go raw | 25 | 3.0 7.0 | 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 do cheese crackers score so high?
Cheese crackers combine processed cheese powder (with emulsifiers and colorants), partially hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors, and preservatives like TBHQ — stacking multiple processing indicators.
Are whole wheat crackers less processed?
Not necessarily. Many whole wheat crackers add the same preservatives, oils, and flavoring agents as refined flour crackers. The grain type is less important than the full ingredient list.
Are Goldfish crackers ultra-processed?
Yes. Goldfish contain enriched flour, vegetable oils, cheddar cheese powder, salt, yeast, sugar, autolyzed yeast extract, and multiple additives, scoring Level 3-4.
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.