1/2 White Grad Cake with Red Borders

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Chemical Preservatives (Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5, Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 6, +6 more): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Modified Starches (Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Other Additives (Emulsifiers (Sorbitan Monostearate, Mono-And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Soy Lecithin)): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

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 White 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.

Processed Fruit ProductsUPF marker

In this product: Colored Icing May Also Contain-Cocoa (Processed With Alkali).

Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.

Stabilizers & GumsUPF marker

In this product: Gum Arabic, Locust Bean Gum.

Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Cake - Sugar, Dextrose, Soybean Oil. Contains 2% Or Less Of Maltodextrin, Invert Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil, Artificial And Natural Flavors. White Icing Also Contains-Vegetable Shortening (Interesterified Soybean Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Mono- And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60).

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, Corn Starch, Monocalcium Phosphate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Alpha Tocopherol.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.