Fritos, Mild Cheddar Cheese Dip

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Fritos, Mild Cheddar Cheese Dip scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Modified Starches (Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Natural Flavors (Less Than 2% Of The Following: Natural Flavors, Monosodium Glutamate): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Cellulose Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Emulsifiers (Datem): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Within Cheese, this product is more processed than about 94% of the 19,171 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 Fritos, Mild Cheddar Cheese Dip'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.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Canola Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Maltodextrin [Made From Corn].

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Annatto.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Citrate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Yeast Extract.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Acetic Acid, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.