Frosted Cake

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Frosted 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 (Strawberry Puree. Contains 2% Or Less Of Each Of The Following: Modified Food Starch, Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5, Yellow 6): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Processed Dairy Ingredients (Soy Protein Isolate): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Guar Gum, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Alginate, +2 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 Frosted 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.

Other AdditivesUPF marker

In this product: Sodium Polyphosphate.

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: Coating [Sugar, Partially Hydrogenated Oils (Palm Kernel, Coconut And Palm), Cocoa Powder (Processed With Alkali), Distilled Monoglycerides, Soy Lecithin, Whey Powder, Natural And Artificial Flavor], Sugar, Polydextrose, 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).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Monocalcium Phosphate, Calcium Sodium Caseinate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, and 2 more.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Sorbic Acid (To Retain Freshness), Adipic Acid, Fumaric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.