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:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Artificial Flavors (Of: Artificial Flavor): Synthetic flavors indicate industrial food production.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Locust Bean Gum, +1 more): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Emulsifiers (Mono- And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 80, Soy Lecithin): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.
• Processed Fruit Products (Cocoa And Cocoa Processed With Alkali, Chocolate Liquor): Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.

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.

Natural FlavorsUPF marker

In this product: Natural Flavor.

Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Caramel Color. Coating Ingredients: Coconut Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.