Snack Mix, Cheddar

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup Solids. Contains 2% Or Less Of: Salt, High Fructose Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Modified Fats (Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil): Hydrogenation and modification are UPF markers.
• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 5): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Chemical Preservatives (Freshness Preserved By Bht And Sodium Metabisulfite): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Other Additives (Distilled Monoglycerides): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

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 Snack Mix, Cheddar'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: Soy Lecithin.

Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Oil (Contains One Or More Of The Following: Canola, Soybean, Rice Bran, Or Sunflower), Margarine (Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Water, Salt, Mono And Diglycerides, Whey, Soy Lecithin, Artificial Flavor, Colored With Beta-Carotene, Vitamin A Palmitate).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Malt Syrup, Maltodextrin.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Baking Soda, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate.

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Yeast, Autolyzed Yeast Extract.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Annatto Extract Color.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Trisodium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Lactic Acid, Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.