Carvel, Ice Cream Cake

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Carvel, Ice Cream Cake scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Modified Fats (Partially Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean And Cottonseed Oils): Hydrogenation and modification are UPF markers.
• Processed Fruit Products (Cocoa Alkali Processed, Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa): Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.
• Emulsifiers (Mono And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 65, Polysorbate 80, +3 more): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Cellulose Gum, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, +3 more): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Within Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts, this product is more processed than about 38% of the 14,928 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 Carvel, Ice Cream 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.

Processed Dairy IngredientsUPF marker

In this product: Sodium Caseinate, Soy Protein Isolate.

Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Dextrose, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Red 3, Red 40, Blue 2, Yellow 6 . If Product Contains Confetti: Sugar, Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Blue 1 Lake, Red 3, Blue 1, Red 40 . If Product Contains Sprinkles: Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Coconut Oil, Palm Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Colored With (Caramel Color), Colored With (Titanium Dioxide).

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate, Calcium Caseinate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Baking Soda. Whipped Icing: Water.

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: To Preserve Freshness (Potassium Sorbate), To Preserve Freshness (Sodium Benzoate).

Natural sources but industrial application.