8" Balloon Single Layer Yellow Cake with Whipped Icing

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, 8" Balloon Single Layer Yellow Cake with Whipped Icing scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Modified Fats (Partially Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil): Hydrogenation and modification are UPF markers.
• Corn-Based Sweeteners (High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup Solids): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Modified Starches (Modified Tapioca Starch, Modified Cornstarch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Artificial Flavors (Natural And Artificial Flavor (Contains Milk Ingredients)): Synthetic flavors indicate industrial food production.
• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5, Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 1): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.

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 8" Balloon Single Layer Yellow Cake with Whipped Icing'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.

Processed Dairy IngredientsUPF marker

In this product: The Following: Sodium Caseinate (A Milk Derivative), Soy Protein Concentrate.

Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.

Other AdditivesUPF marker

In this product: Propylene Glycol Mono And Diesters Of Fats And Fatty Acids, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate.

Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

EmulsifiersUPF marker

In this product: Mono And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60, Soy Lecithin, Polyglycerol Esters Of Fatty Acids.

Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Stabilizers & GumsUPF marker

In this product: Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum.

Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Dextrose.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Baking Soda, Monocalcium Phosphate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.