Gorton's, Fish Sticks

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Gorton's, Fish Sticks scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Chemical Preservatives (Tbhq): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Natural Flavors (Natural Flavor): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Other Additives (Sodium Tripolyphosphate (To Retain Fish Moisture)): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Within Seafood, this product is more processed than about 90% of the 7,747 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 Gorton's, Fish Sticks' 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: Vegetable Oil (Cottonseed, Soybean And/Or Canola).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

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

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Baking Powder (Baking Soda, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Yeast.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.