Key findings
- 1Carton egg whites are essentially pre-separated and pasteurized eggs, a convenience product, not an ultra-processed one
- 2Egg whites contain about 3.6g of protein per large egg white with zero fat and minimal calories
- 3The 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 on average?
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 and no chemical transformation of the food occurs. The egg white itself is unchanged from its natural state.
How 178 egg whites products break down
Share of products at each processing level, in our analysis.
Egg Whites brand comparison
From least to most processed in our database.
How to read a egg whites label
- 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
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Frequently asked questions
Are carton egg whites processed?
Carton egg whites 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. In our analysis, egg white products average a Processing Score of 1.2, which is Level 1.
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 due to spray-drying and sometimes added lecithin. However, it remains relatively simple compared to other protein supplements and typically contains 1-3 ingredients.