Chocolate Instant Pudding & Pie Filling, Chocolate

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Chocolate Instant Pudding & Pie Filling, Chocolate scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Modified Starches (Modified Food Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Artificial Colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Processed Fruit Products (Cocoa Powder Processed With Alkali): Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.
• Other Additives (Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.
• Emulsifiers (Mono-And Diglycerides (Contains Propyl Gallate And Citric Acid As Antioxidants)): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Within Puddings & Gelatin, this product is more processed than about 36% of the 1,991 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 Instant Pudding & Pie Filling, 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.

Stabilizers & GumsUPF marker

In this product: Gum Arabic.

Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Maltodextrin.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Disodium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Anti-Caking AgentsProcessing indicator

In this product: Silicon Dioxide.

Common in powdered processed foods.