1/2 Marble Grad Cake with Red Borders

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, 1/2 Marble Grad Cake with Red Borders scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Modified Starches (Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Modified Fats (Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil): Hydrogenation and modification are UPF markers.
• Artificial Colors (Red 40 Lake, Blue 1 Lake): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Other Additives (Emulsifiers ( Sorbitan Monostearate, Mono-And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Soy Lecithin)): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.
• Natural Flavors (Artificial And Natural Flavors): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Within Cakes & Pastries, this product is more processed than about 16% of the 11,919 products we've analyzed.

Processing classification reflects ingredient and additive analysis, not a judgment of any product's safety, quality, or healthfulness.

What These Ingredients Tell Us

We group 1/2 Marble Grad Cake with Red Borders' ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

Stabilizers & GumsUPF marker

In this product: Gum Acacia.

Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Cake - Sugar, Dextrose, Maltodextrin.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Monocalcium Phosphate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: B-Carotene ( For Color).

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Yellow 5 Lake. White Icing Also Contains Vegetable Shortening Interesterified Soybean Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Mono- And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60, Corn Syrup, Contains 2% Or Less Of Citric Acid, Corn Starch, Alpha Tocopherol, Titanium Dioxide For Color , Potassium Sorbate Preservative , Colored Icing May Also Contain. Contains 2% Or Less Of Invert Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Yellow 6 Lake, Red 3, Blue 1, Red 40, Gum Arabic, Locust Bean Gum, Caramel Color, Sodium Benzoate Preservative.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.