Most Processed Ice Cream Brands
Traditional ice cream requires just cream, sugar, and eggs. Industrial ice cream adds emulsifiers (polysorbate 80, mono and diglycerides), stabilizers (guar gum, carrageenan), artificial flavors, and corn syrup solids. "Light" and "low-fat" versions often score higher because fat is replaced with additional additives.
Ice Cream at a Glance
15 Most Processed Ice Cream Brands
Brands ranked by highest average processing score across all their products in this category.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pedialyte | 5 | 46.0 3.6 | 5 | 0 |
| 2 | Oberweis dairy | 13 | 39.5 0.7 | 13 | 0 |
| 3 | M&ms | 117 | 36.3 1.3 | 117 | 0 |
| 4 | Lovesome | 10 | 35.4 3.9 | 10 | 0 |
| 5 | Carvel | 50 | 32.8 2.6 | 50 | 0 |
| 6 | Uncle harrys | 53 | 31.9 3.3 | 53 | 0 |
| 7 | Chips ahoy! | 6 | 30.7 1.3 | 6 | 0 |
| 8 | Peanuts | 5 | 28.9 3.5 | 5 | 0 |
| 9 | Jon donaire | 102 | 27.1 2.5 | 102 | 0 |
| 10 | Marketside | 31 | 24.9 0.2 | 31 | 0 |
| 11 | Barqs | 10 | 24.2 1.4 | 10 | 0 |
| 12 | Psst | 6 | 23.5 5.0 | 6 | 0 |
| 13 | Heath | 6 | 23.5 0.4 | 6 | 0 |
| 14 | Funfetti | 8 | 23.1 2.6 | 8 | 0 |
| 15 | Sour patch kids | 71 | 22.9 2.2 | 71 | 0 |
Closest Look: Top 5 Most Processed
Least Processed Ice Cream Products
Individual products with the lowest processing scores.
Most Processed Ice Cream Products
Individual products with the highest processing scores.
What to Look for on the Label
- 1Fewer than 8 ingredients indicates artisan-quality ice cream
- 2Avoid polysorbate 80 and carrageenan — common emulsifiers in industrial ice cream
- 3"Light" or "low-fat" ice cream often adds more processing to compensate for reduced fat
- 4Corn syrup or corn syrup solids replace cream in cheaper formulations
Least Processed Ice Cream Brands
For comparison — brands with the lowest average processing scores.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trentino | 6 | 2.0 3.0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2 | Le cafe de la plage | 7 | 2.6 1.4 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | Sorbatto | 23 | 2.9 1.5 | 0 | 6 |
| 4 | Froozer | 20 | 3.1 5.8 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Mompops | 26 | 3.2 5.2 | 0 | 2 |
| 6 | Blue moon sorbet | 5 | 3.2 5.4 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Dream pops | 16 | 3.3 2.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Chill pop | 13 | 3.3 4.7 | 0 | 3 |
| 9 | Modern pop | 22 | 3.5 5.2 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Negranti creamery | 17 | 3.5 4.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Dolci gelati | 12 | 3.5 4.9 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Sias italian ice | 10 | 3.5 5.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Tropical acai | 5 | 3.5 3.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Pop stars | 15 | 3.5 4.8 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Divino | 15 | 3.5 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 are low-fat ice creams more processed?
When fat is removed, manufacturers add polydextrose, maltodextrin, and modified starches to replicate the mouthfeel of cream. This ironic tradeoff makes "healthier" options more industrially processed.
Are ice cream bars more processed than scoops?
Generally yes. Ice cream bars add chocolate coatings with hydrogenated oils, cookie pieces with additional ingredients, and more stabilizers to maintain shape.
What is the most processed type of ice cream?
Novelty items like ice cream sandwiches, cookie dough ice cream, and candy-mix-in varieties stack the most additives, often containing 30+ ingredients.
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.