Spaghetti Rings with Meatballs

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Spaghetti Rings with 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.
• Modified Starches (Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Processed Dairy Ingredients (Soy Protein Concentrate): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.
• Natural Flavors (Flavorings): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Industrial Enzymes (Enzyme Modified Cheese (Cheddar Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cultures, Salt, Enzymes], Cream, Water, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Apo-Carotenal [Color])): Industrial enzyme use indicates significant processing.

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 Spaghetti Rings with 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.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Meatballs (Pork, Chicken, Mechanically Separated Chicken, Beef, Water, Crackermeal (Enriched Wheat Flour {Bleached Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), May Contain Guar Gum).

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt, Less Than 2% Of: Sea Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Caramel Color.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: Enriched Pasta (Durum Wheat Semolina, Egg White Solids, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate [Vtamin B1], Riboflavin [Vitamin B2], Folic Acid).

Natural sources but industrial application.