Beef & Cheese Pasteurized Process Cheddar Sticks, Beef & Cheese

Why Does This Score Highly Processed?

In our analysis, Beef & Cheese Pasteurized Process Cheddar Sticks, Beef & Cheese scores Highly Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Natural Flavors (Natural Flavors. Contains 2% Or Less Of Salt, Natural Flavoring): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Plant Proteins (Hydrolyzed Soy Protein): Isolated proteins require extensive industrial processing.
• Processed Dairy Ingredients (Soy Protein Concentrate): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.
• Other Additives (Sodium Erythorbate): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Within Other Snacks, this product is more processed than about 33% of the 7,439 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 Beef & Cheese Pasteurized Process Cheddar Sticks, Beef & Cheese'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.

Industrial EnzymesUPF marker

In this product: Enzymes.

Industrial enzyme use indicates significant processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Dextrose.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Lactic Acid Starter Culture, Sorbic Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Color (Paprika, Turmeric Extract).

Natural sources but still indicate processing.