Funnel Cake

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Funnel 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 (Modified Cornstarch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Artificial Colors (Red 40, Yellow 5): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Agar, Cellulose Gum, Locust Bean Gum, +1 more): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Industrial Enzymes (Enzymes): Industrial enzyme use indicates significant processing.

Within Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts, this product is more processed than about 38% of the 14,928 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 Funnel 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.

EmulsifiersUPF marker

In this product: Glycerin, Soy Lecithin.

Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Processed Dairy IngredientsUPF marker

In this product: Milk Protein Concentrate.

Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.

Other AdditivesUPF marker

In this product: Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate.

Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate (Iron), Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid).

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil, Animal And Vegetable Shortening (Tallow, Hydrogenated Tallow, Cottonseed Oil, Mono And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60, Soy Lecithin).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Dextrose.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Baking Soda, Leavening (Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate.

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Sulfate, Disodium Phosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.