Chicken Carbonara Kit

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Chicken Carbonara Kit 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.
• Industrial Enzymes (Cheese [Granular And Blue (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes)]): Industrial enzyme use indicates significant processing.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Xanthan Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in 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 Chicken Carbonara Kit'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.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Potassium And Sodium Phosphates, Sodium Phosphate, Parmesan Cheese Powder [Parmesan Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Salt, Culture, Enzymes), Cultured Whey, Disodium Phosphate, Salt, And Autolyzed Yeast], Natural Flavor [Maltodextrin, Whey, Natural Cheese Flavor (Cheese, Skim Milk, Whole Milk, Butter, Salt, Culture, Flavor, Calcium Chloride, Annatto For Color, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Succinic Acid), Salt].

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt. Sauce Ingredients: Water, Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil, Sunflower Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Maltodextrin, Bacon (Cured With Water, Salt, Sugar, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite. May Also Contain Dextrose, Flavoring, Honey, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Lactate, Smoke Flavoring, Sodium Diacetate, Sodium Phosphate), Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid, Lactic Acid}.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.