Is Egg Whites Ultra Processed?
Not Typically Ultra-Processed
Egg whites are minimally processed (Level 1). Whether separated by hand or purchased in carton form, egg whites are a single-ingredient food. Carton egg whites are pasteurized (a simple heat treatment) and may contain a trace amount of natural flavor, but remain among the least processed protein sources available.
Key Findings
- •Carton egg whites are essentially pre-separated and pasteurized eggs — a convenience product, not an ultra-processed one
- •Egg whites contain about 3.6g of protein per large egg white with zero fat and minimal calories
- •The pasteurization step in carton egg whites makes them safer for recipes that use uncooked eggs (like cocktails or royal icing)
Why Is Egg Whites Level 1?
Carton egg whites are produced by mechanically cracking eggs, separating the whites from yolks, pasteurizing (heating to destroy bacteria without cooking the protein), and packaging. Some brands add a tiny amount of triethyl citrate (a whipping aid) or natural flavor to approximate the taste of fresh-cracked whites. This is minimal processing — no chemical transformation of the food occurs. The egg white itself is unchanged from its natural state.
Egg Whites Processing Level Distribution
How 1,000 egg whites products break down by processing level:
Average ingredient count: 11.8 · Average nutrition score: 7.0/10
Egg Whites Brand Comparison
Comparing the least to most processed egg whites products in our database:
| Product | Brand | Level | Score | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cage Free 100% Liquid Egg Whites | Lucerne | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| 100% Pasteurized Liquid Egg Whites | Lucerne | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| 100% Liquid Egg Whites | Member's Mark | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Cage Free 100% Liquid Egg Whites | Lucerne | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Liquid Egg Whites | Tops | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| 100% Liquid Egg Whites | Lucerne | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Egg Whites | Our Family | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Liquid Egg Whites | Tops | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| 100% Liquid Egg Whites | Sunnyside Farms | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| 100% Cage Free Liquid Egg Whites | Member's Mark | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
How to Read Egg Whites Labels
- 1
The ideal ingredient list is just: egg whites
- 2
Pasteurization is a heat treatment, not a chemical process — it does not change the processing level
- 3
Some brands add "natural flavor" or triethyl citrate (a whipping aid) — these are minor additions
- 4
Dried egg white powder is more processed due to spray-drying but still contains minimal additives
Frequently Asked Questions
Are carton egg whites processed?
Carton egg whites are minimally processed (Level 1). They are mechanically separated and pasteurized — two simple physical processes. Most brands list just one ingredient: egg whites. They are no more "processed" than pasteurized milk.
Are carton egg whites as good as fresh egg whites?
Nutritionally, they are identical. Carton egg whites may whip slightly less stiffly than fresh due to pasteurization affecting some proteins, but the difference is minor. For cooking and scrambling, they are equivalent.
Is egg white protein powder ultra-processed?
Egg white protein powder is more processed than liquid egg whites (Level 2) due to spray-drying and sometimes added lecithin. However, it remains relatively simple compared to other protein supplements and typically contains 1-3 ingredients.