Cupcake Cake

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Glucose): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Modified Starches (Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5 Lake, Fd&C Blue 1 Lake, Fd&C Red 40 Lake): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Emulsifiers (Mono And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60): 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 Cupcake 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.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Icing Sugar, Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Shortening (Canola, Palm, Modified Palm And Palm Kernel Oil), Soybean And Canola Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Corn Starch, Monocalcium Phosphate, Calcium Sulfate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters Of Mono And Diglycerides.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.