Cup Cake

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup Solids): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Modified Starches (Eggs. Contains 2% Or Less Of Each Of The Following: Modified Food Starch, Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Modified Fats (Partially Hydrogenated Soybean And/Or Cottonseed Oil): Hydrogenation and modification are UPF markers.
• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 5, +4 more): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Agar, Locust Bean Gum, Guar Gum, +3 more): Industrial stabilizers common in 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 Cup Cake'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.

Processed Dairy IngredientsUPF marker

In this product: Soy Protein Isolate.

Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.

EmulsifiersUPF marker

In this product: Mono And Diglycerides.

Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Other AdditivesUPF marker

In this product: Sodium Stearate, Confectioners Glaze.

Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Industrial EnzymesUPF marker

In this product: Enzymes.

Industrial enzyme use indicates significant processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Dextrose.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Bleached Enriched Wheat Flour [Wheat Flour, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate (Iron), Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid].

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Animal And Vegetable Shortening (Beef Tallow, Hydrogenated Beef Tallow, Cottonseed Oil, Mono And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60, Soy Lecithin), Soybean Oil, Sunflower Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Sulfate, Disodium Phosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate, and 1 more.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.