Dessert Shells

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Artificial Flavors (Artificial Vanilla): Synthetic flavors indicate industrial food production.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Emulsifiers (Soy Lecithin, Mono And Diglycerides): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.
• Industrial Enzymes (Enzymes): Industrial enzyme use indicates significant processing.

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 Dessert Shells' 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: Sugar, Invert Syrup.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Corn Starch, Monocalcium Phosphate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Propionate.

Natural sources but industrial application.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Annatto.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.