Caramel Tres Leches Cake

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Caramel Tres Leches Cake scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (High Fructose Corn Syrup, The Following: Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Modified Fats (Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Partially Hydrogenated Palm Oil): Hydrogenation and modification are UPF markers.
• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Caramel Topping (Goat Milk, Sucrose, Glucose, Pectin, Preservative (Potassium Sorbate), Caramel Color), Xanthan Gum, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, +3 more): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Processed Dairy Ingredients (Sodium Caseinate): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.

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 Caramel Tres Leches Cake'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: Polyglycerol Esters Of Fatty Acids, Polysorbate 60, Mono- And Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin.

Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Natural FlavorsUPF marker

In this product: Natural Flavor.

Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Industrial EnzymesUPF marker

In this product: Enzymes.

Industrial enzyme use indicates significant processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour With Added Zinc (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron As Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Dicalcium Phosphate, Dipotassium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Canola And/Or 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.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.