Cheese Manicotti

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Modified Starches (2% Or Less Of Modified Cornstarch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Emulsifiers (Mono- And Diglycerides): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Within Frozen Dinners, this product is more processed than about 37% of the 5,358 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 Cheese Manicotti'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.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Cheese Manicotti (Filling: Ricotta Cheese [Milk, Whey, Cream, Vinegar, Xanthan Gum, Locust Bean Gum, Guar Gum], Milk, Light Cream, Low Moisture Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese [Cultured Part Skim Milk, Salt, Enzymes], Bread Crumbs [Wheat Flour, Dextrose, Yeast, Salt], Parmesan Cheese [Cultured Part Skim Milk, Salt, Enzymes], Ricotta Cheese [Whey, Milk, Vinegar, Salt, Carrageenan, Vitamin A Palmitate], Eggs, Enriched Wheat Flour [Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Malted Barley Flour], Romano Cheese Made From Cow'S Milk [Cultured Milk, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Modified Cornstarch, Salt, Butter [Cream, Salt], Romano Cheese With Flavor [Romano Cheese {Cultured Cow'S Milk, Salt, Enzymes}, Enzyme Modified Romano Cheese {Romano Cheese < Cultured Cow'S Milk, Water, Salt, Enzymes>, Salt}], Spices, Carrageenan, Sodium Alginate, Dried Garlic. Pasta: Semolina, Water, Eggs), Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Potassium Chloride, Calcium Chloride.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.