Is Old El Paso Ultra Processed?
Yes — Ultra-Processed
Old El Paso products range from minimally processed (Level 2) to ultra-processed (Level 4) depending on the specific product. Plain taco shells (corn, oil, salt) are Level 2, but seasoning mixes, enchilada sauces, and flavored kits contain maltodextrin, modified corn starch, silicon dioxide, and multiple artificial additives that push them to Level 3-4.
Key Findings
- •Old El Paso taco seasoning lists maltodextrin (a starch filler) as its first ingredient — homemade taco seasoning uses 5-6 actual spices with no fillers
- •Plain hard taco shells (corn, oil, salt) are Level 2 and among the least processed items in the brand
- •The brand spans from Level 2 (plain shells) to Level 4 (seasoning mixes, enchilada sauce) — product selection matters enormously
- •Dinner kits aggregate multiple processed components, making the total processing load higher than buying shells and making your own seasoning
Why Is Old El Paso Ultra-Processed?
Old El Paso is one of the widest-ranging brands from a processing standpoint because it spans fundamentally different product types under one label. The plain hard taco shells are among the simplest products in the Mexican food aisle — ground corn, vegetable oil, and salt, essentially a fried tortilla. The flour tortillas add more ingredients (bleached flour, hydrogenated oils in some varieties) but remain Level 2-3. The processing level escalates dramatically with the seasoning mixes: where homemade taco seasoning uses 5-6 ground spices (chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano), Old El Paso taco seasoning contains maltodextrin as the first ingredient (a starch-derived filler), modified corn starch (thickener), silicon dioxide (anti-caking agent), "natural flavor," and yeast extract (a glutamate source). Maltodextrin as the primary ingredient means the packet is more filler than spice. The refried beans add lard or hydrogenated lard and preservatives. The dinner kits combine multiple processed components — shells, seasoning, and sauce — into a single package where the sum of processing exceeds what any individual component would suggest.
Old El Paso Processing Level Distribution
How 1,000 old el paso products break down by processing level:
Average ingredient count: 21.4 · Average nutrition score: 4.7/10
Old El Paso Brand Comparison
Comparing the least to most processed old el paso products in our database:
| Product | Brand | Level | Score | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old El Paso Stand 'N Stuff Gluten-free Crunchy Taco Shells | Old El Paso | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
| Old El Paso Stand 'N Stuff Crunchy Taco Shells | Old El Paso | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
| Old El Paso Crunchy White Corn Taco Shells 12 Count | Old El Paso | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
| Old El Paso Stand 'N Stuff Crunchy Taco Shells | Old El Paso | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
| Old El Paso Gluten-free Crunchy Taco Shells | Old El Paso | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
| Old El Paso Gluten-free Crunchy Taco Shells | Old El Paso | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
| Old El Paso Stand 'N Stuff Gluten-free Crunchy Taco Shells | Old El Paso | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
| Old El Paso Super Stuffer Shells 10 Count | Old El Paso | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
| Old El Paso Super Stuffer Shells 10 Count | Old El Paso | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
| Old El Paso Gluten-free Crunchy Taco Shells | Old El Paso | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
How to Read Old El Paso Labels
- 1
Check the seasoning packet separately — maltodextrin as the first ingredient means more filler than actual spice
- 2
Plain hard taco shells (corn, oil, salt) are the simplest Old El Paso product and are genuinely Level 2
- 3
Silicon dioxide (anti-caking agent) and modified corn starch (thickener) are industrial additives unnecessary in homemade seasoning
- 4
Dinner kits combine multiple processed components — evaluate the shell, seasoning, and sauce ingredient lists individually
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Old El Paso taco shells ultra-processed?
Plain hard taco shells are not ultra-processed — they contain ground corn, vegetable oil, and salt (Level 2). The flour tortillas are slightly more processed (Level 2-3). It is the seasoning packets and sauces that push into ultra-processed territory, not the shells themselves.
Is Old El Paso taco seasoning ultra-processed?
Yes. Old El Paso taco seasoning is Level 4. Maltodextrin (a starch-derived filler) is the first ingredient, followed by modified corn starch, silicon dioxide, yeast extract, and "natural flavor." Homemade taco seasoning uses 5-6 ground spices and no fillers, and takes about 2 minutes to mix.
Are Old El Paso refried beans ultra-processed?
Old El Paso refried beans are Level 3. They contain cooked beans, water, lard (or hydrogenated lard in some varieties), salt, and preservatives. Hydrogenated lard is a more processed fat than regular lard. Homemade refried beans need only beans, oil or lard, onion, garlic, and salt.
What is the least processed way to use Old El Paso?
Buy only the plain hard taco shells (corn, oil, salt — Level 2) and skip the seasoning packets and sauces. Make your own taco seasoning from chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and oregano. This combination gives you the convenience of premade shells without the ultra-processed additives.
What is maltodextrin in Old El Paso seasoning?
Maltodextrin is a starch derivative (usually from corn) used as a filler, carrier, and mild sweetener. In taco seasoning, it bulks up the packet so the volume looks substantial while diluting the actual spice content. It has a high glycemic index and provides no flavor contribution — it is purely an industrial processing aid.