Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Icing, Chocolate

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Modified Starches (Modified Tapioca And Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Corn-Based Sweeteners (High Fructose Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5, Red 3, Yellow 6, +2 more): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Processed Fruit Products (Cocoa Processed With Alkali): Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.
• Other Additives (Propylene Glycol Mono- And Diesters Of Fats And Fatty Acids, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Within Cakes & Pastries, this product is more processed than about 16% of the 11,919 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 Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Icing, Chocolate'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: Mono- And Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin, Polysorbate 60.

Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Natural FlavorsUPF marker

In this product: Natural Flavor.

Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Processed Dairy IngredientsUPF marker

In this product: Sodium Caseinate.

Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.

Stabilizers & GumsUPF marker

In this product: Cellulose Gum, Carrageenan, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum.

Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Invert Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Shortening (Palm And Soybean Oils, Mono- And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60), Soybean Oil, Palm And Palm Kernel Oils.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: The Following: Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.