Ice Cream

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Ice Cream scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Processed Fruit Products (Cocoa, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Processed With Alkali): Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.
• Emulsifiers (Soy Lecithin): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Pectin, Xanthan Gum, Carob Bean Gum, +2 more): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Natural Flavors (Vanilla, Natural Flavor): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Within Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts, this product is more processed than about 38% of the 14,928 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 Ice Cream's ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Fudge Sauce {Sugar, Sugar, Cookies And Brownies {Sugar, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (Sugar, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin).

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Baking Soda.

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid}.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Oil (Coconut, Palm), Peppermint Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.