12 Easter Hunt Cookies

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, 12 Easter Hunt Cookies scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Water. Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Modified Starches (Modified Cornstarch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5, Red 40, Red 3, +2 more): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Modified Fats (Fractionated Palm Kernel Oil): Hydrogenation and modification are UPF markers.
• Other Additives (Acetylated Monoglycerides, Shellac, Carnauba Wax): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Within Cookies & Crackers, this product is more processed than about 51% of the 18,630 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 12 Easter Hunt Cookies' ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

EmulsifiersUPF marker

In this product: Polysorbate 60.

Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Stabilizers & GumsUPF marker

In this product: Cellulose Gum.

Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Cookie: Bleached Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour. Niacin, Reduced Iron, Ascorbic Acid Added As A Dough Conditioner, Thiamine Mononitrate. Riboflavin, Enzyme. Folic Acid). Sugar.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Palm Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Leavening (Sodium Bicarbonate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Whey (Milk). Icings: Icing Sugar (Sugar, Cornstarch), Red 3. Mini Beads: Dextrose, Blue 1. Pastel Confetti: Icing Sugar (Sugar, Cornstarch).

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Potassium Sorbate (Preservative). Citric Acid, Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.