Del Pino's, Mini O's & Meatballs

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Del Pino's, Mini O's & Meatballs scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (High Fructose Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Industrial Enzymes (Enzyme Modified Cheese (Cheddar Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cultures, Salt, Enzymes], Cream, Water, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Carotenal [Color])): Industrial enzyme use indicates significant processing.
• Natural Flavors (Flavorings): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Within Soup & Chili, this product is more processed than about 64% of the 7,596 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 Del Pino's, Mini O's & Meatballs' ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: Meatballs (Beef And Pork, Crackermeal [Bleached Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate {Vitamin B1}, Riboflavin {Vitamin B2}, And Folic Acid], Water, Soy Protein Concentrate, Salt, Onion, Caramel Coloring, Garlic, Hydrolyzed Corn Gluten, Soy Protein And Wheat Gluten, Spices, Flavorings, Soybean Oil), Enriched Pasta (Semolina Wheat Flour [Enriched With Iron, Dicalcium Phosphate, B Vitamins {Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid}, Vitamin D3], Egg White).

Natural sources but industrial application.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Less Than 2% Of: Sugar, Maltodextrin.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Sea Salt, Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Dried Yeast.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Ascorbic Acid.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.