Chocolate Creme-Filled Cupcake

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Modified Starches (Modified Cornstarch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Processed Meats (Gelatin): Mechanically separated and reformed meats are UPF markers.
• Processed Fruit Products (Cocoa (Processed With Alkali), Cocoa): Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.
• Emulsifiers (Glycerin, Mono & Diglycerides, Polyglycerol Esters Of Fatty Acids, +3 more): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

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 Creme-Filled Cupcake'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.

Stabilizers & GumsUPF marker

In this product: Agar, Sodium Alginate, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, and 3 more.

Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Processed Dairy IngredientsUPF marker

In this product: Milk Protein.

Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Maltodextrin.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Shortening (Palm And/Or Fractionated Palm And Canola Oils, Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Soy Lecithin).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Aluminum Sulfate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Sulfate, Sodium Carbonate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: Preservatives (Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Propionate, Sorbic Acid), Enrichment (Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folic Acid, Reduced Iron, Zinc Oxide).

Natural sources but industrial application.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Titanium Dioxide.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.