Banquet Basic Cheesy Patty Meal, 6.15 Oz

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Banquet Basic Cheesy Patty Meal, 6.15 Oz scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Processed Meats (Mechanically Separated Chicken): Mechanically separated and reformed meats are UPF markers.
• Modified Proteins (Textured Vegetable Protein (Soy Flour, Caramel Color)): Extensive modification indicates UPF.
• Modified Starches (Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Processed Dairy Ingredients (Soy Protein Concentrate): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.
• Other Additives (Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Sodium Phosphates): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Within Prepared Entrees, this product is more processed than about 53% of the 6,999 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 Banquet Basic Cheesy Patty Meal, 6.15 Oz'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.

EmulsifiersUPF marker

In this product: Soy Lecithin.

Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Natural FlavorsUPF marker

In this product: Natural Flavors.

Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Stabilizers & GumsUPF marker

In this product: Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum.

Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: Breader (Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour [Bleached Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Durum Flour, Leavening [Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate], Yeast).

Natural sources but industrial application.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Dextrose, Cheese Flavor (Whey, Cheese [Granular And Blue {Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzyme}], Sunflower Oil, Maltodextrin, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid), Bacon (Cured With Water, Salt, Sodium Phosphates, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite. May Contain: Sugar, Brown Sugar, And/Or Smoke Flavor), Sugar, and 1 more.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Caramel Color, Coloring (Carmel Color, Annatto Extract, Turmeric).

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.