Cheddar Bacon Pasta Salad, Cheddar Bacon

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Cheddar Bacon Pasta Salad, Cheddar Bacon scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Modified Starches (Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Chemical Preservatives (Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Xanthan Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Within Prepared Salads, this product is more processed than about 43% of the 1,234 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 Cheddar Bacon Pasta Salad, Cheddar Bacon'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.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: Cooked Enriched Macaroni Product (Semolina, Egg Whites, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid).

Natural sources but industrial application.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sour Cream (Milk, Cream, Sugar, Whey, Modified Corn Starch, Sodium Phosphate, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Sodium Citrate, Locust Bean Gum, Bacterial Cultures, Potassium Sorbate [Preservative]), Sugar, Bacon Pieces (Pork Cured With Water, Salt, Sugar, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite), Natural Bacon Flavor Blend (Natural Flavor [Milk], Corn Syrup Solids, Salt, Yeast Extract, Natural Smoke Flavor).

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.