Is Canned Tomatoes Ultra Processed?
Not Typically Ultra-Processed
Canned tomatoes are minimally processed (Level 1). They typically contain just tomatoes, tomato juice, citric acid for acidity, and calcium chloride for firmness — all simple, functional ingredients.
Key Findings
- •Canned tomatoes with 3-5 ingredients are Level 1 — among the least processed pantry staples
- •Citric acid is used for safe pH levels in canning, not for flavor manipulation
- •San Marzano and other quality brands often have the simplest ingredient lists
Why Is Canned Tomatoes Level 1?
Canned tomato production is straightforward: ripe tomatoes are picked, peeled (using steam or lye bath, then rinsed), packed in tomato juice or puree, and heat-sealed for preservation. Citric acid adjusts acidity for safe canning, and calcium chloride maintains firmness during storage. These are minimal, functional additives — not industrial ultra-processing ingredients. Some brands add salt, but many offer no-salt-added versions. Canned tomatoes are one of the best examples of how canning preserves food without heavy processing.
Canned Tomatoes Processing Level Distribution
How 1,000 canned tomatoes products break down by processing level:
Average ingredient count: 7.5 · Average nutrition score: 4.7/10
Canned Tomatoes Brand Comparison
Comparing the least to most processed canned tomatoes products in our database:
| Product | Brand | Level | Score | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed Tomatoes | Cecarelli Farms | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Polpa Crushed Tomatoes | Mutti | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Purely Crushed Tomatoes | Metropolitan Market | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Chef's Diced Tomatoes in Juice | Cento | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| La Fede, Crushed Tomatoes | La Fede | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Organic Diced Tomatoes | Eden | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Peeled Crushed Tomatoes | Stater Bros. | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Crushed Tomatoes | Cecarelli Farms | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| La Fede, Crushed Tomatoes | La Fede | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Purely Crushed Tomatoes | Metropolitan Market | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
How to Read Canned Tomatoes Labels
- 1
A clean label lists: tomatoes, tomato juice, citric acid, and optionally calcium chloride and salt
- 2
Citric acid and calcium chloride are functional canning aids, not ultra-processing additives
- 3
Avoid canned tomatoes with added sugar — some brands include it unnecessarily
- 4
Fire-roasted, diced, crushed, and whole are all equally minimally processed
Frequently Asked Questions
Are canned tomatoes ultra-processed?
No. Canned tomatoes are Level 1, minimally processed. They contain just tomatoes, tomato juice, citric acid, and sometimes calcium chloride — all functional ingredients for safe canning.
Is citric acid in canned tomatoes bad?
No. Citric acid is a naturally occurring acid (found in citrus fruits) used to maintain safe acidity for canning. It is a standard, safe food-processing aid, not an industrial additive.
Are fresh tomatoes better than canned?
From a processing standpoint, fresh tomatoes are unprocessed while canned are Level 1. Nutritionally, canned tomatoes actually contain more bioavailable lycopene due to the heating process. Both are excellent whole-food choices.