Lemon Bars, Lemon

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Chemical Preservatives (Potassium Sorbate): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Xanthan Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Within Cookies & Crackers, this product is more processed than about 51% of the 18,630 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 Lemon Bars, Lemon'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: Granulated Cane Sugar, Infused Lemon Rind (Lemon Peel Zest, Cane Sugar, Lemon Oil Essence), Molasses, Decorating Sugar (Dextrose, Corn Starch, Palm Oil, Magnesium Stearate, Natural Vanilla Flavor).

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Shortening (Palm Oil, Soybean Oil, Modified Palm Oil), Margarine (Soybean Oil Palm Oil, Water, Vegetable Monoglycerides, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavor, Annatto Extract [Color], Turmeric [Added For Color], Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D3).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Baking Powder (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Corn Starch, Monocalcium Phosphate, Calcium Sulfate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

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.