4 Ice Cream Sandwiches

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, 4 Ice Cream Sandwiches scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Stabilizers & Gums (Guar Gum*, Locust Bean Gum*): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Emulsifiers (Soy Lecithin*): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.
• Natural Flavors (Natural Cake Flavor, Vanilla Extract*): 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 4 Ice Cream Sandwiches' 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: Cane Sugar*, Tapioca Syrup*, Cane Syrup*.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Purple Frosting* (Powdered Sugar*, Water, Lowfat Milk* (Lowfat Milk*, Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D3), Sugar*, Non Fat Dry Milk*, Tapioca Starch*, Frosting Flavor*, Butter* (Cream*, Salt), Red Beet Juice Concentrate* (Color), Fruit Juice* Color).

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Palm Oil*.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Baking Soda.

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.