45.00oz Tostitos Queso

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, 45.00oz Tostitos Queso 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.
• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5, Yellow 6): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Natural Flavors (Natural Flavors (Including Natural Cheddar Flavor), Monosodium Glutamate): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Other Additives (Sodium Hexametaphosphate): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.
• Emulsifiers (Datem): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Within Cooking Sauces, this product is more processed than about 83% of the 9,519 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 45.00oz Tostitos Queso'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.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Oil (Corn, Sunflower And/Or Canola Oil).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Maltodextrin (Made From Corn).

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: 2% Or Less Of The Following: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.