Cheez-It Snack Mix, Baked Snack Assortment

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Cheez-It Snack Mix, Baked Snack Assortment scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5, Yellow 6): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Natural Flavors (Monosodium Glutamate): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Flavor Enhancers (Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate): Industrial flavor enhancement common in UPF.
• Emulsifiers (Soy Lecithin): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Within Other Snacks, this product is more processed than about 65% of the 7,439 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 Cheez-It Snack Mix, Baked Snack Assortment'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.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Cheese Crackers (Enriched Flour [Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Vitamin B1 (Thiamin Mononitrate), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Folic Acid], Soybean And Palm Oil With Tbhq For Freshness, Cheese Made With Skim Milk [Skim Milk, Whey Protein, Cheese Cultures, Salt Enzymes, Annatto Extract For Color], White Cheddar Cheese [Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes], Salt, Whey, Maltodextrin, Leavening [Baking Soda, Yeast], Monosodium Glutamate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Butter [Cream, Salt], Natural And Artificial Flavor, Paprika, Paprika Oleoresin, Turmeric For Color, Lactic Acid, Calcium Lactate, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Soy Lecithin), Pretzel Sticks (Enriched Flour [Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Vitamin B1 (Thiamin Mononitrate), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Folic Acid], Salt, Vegetable Oil [Corn, Canola And/Or Soybean Oil], Corn Syrup, Yeast, Baking Soda), Bread Slices (Enriched Flour [Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Vitamin B1 (Thiamin Mononitrate), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Folic Acid], Vegetable Oil [Corn, Canola, And/Or Soybean Oil], Salt, Whey, Nonfat Milk, Corn Syrup, Yeast, Citric Acid).

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Cheese Curls (Degerminated Yellow Corn Meal, Vegetable Oil [Corn, Canola, Cottonseed And/Or Soybean Oil], Whey, Salt, Maltodextrin, Cheddar Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Monosodium Glutamate, Torula Yeast, Disodium Phosphate, Sour Cream [Cream, Nonfat Milk, Cultures], Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Yellow 6, Sunflower Oil, Natural And Artificial Flavors, Yellow 5, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, Butter Oil), Maltodextrin.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil With Tbhq For Freshness, Sunflower 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: Disodium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Yeast.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.