Chinese Mabo Tofu Sauce

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Chinese Mabo Tofu Sauce scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Natural Flavors (Monosodium Glutamate): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Xanthan Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Within Cooking Sauces, this product is more processed than about 83% of the 9,519 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 Chinese Mabo Tofu Sauce'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.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Sesame Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Doubanjiang (Red Pepper, Fava Bean, Sugar Syrup, Salt, Alcohol, Fermented Rice Seasoning).

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Autolyzed Yeast Extract.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Caramel Color.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.