Hand Decorated Sugar Cookie, Sugar

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Hand Decorated Sugar Cookie, Sugar scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Artificial Colors (Red 3, Red 40, Blue 1, +3 more): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Chemical Preservatives (Potassium Sorbate): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Natural Flavors (Vanilla Extract): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Guar Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Emulsifiers (Mono- And Diglycerides): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Within Cookies & Crackers, this product is more processed than about 51% of the 18,630 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 Hand Decorated Sugar Cookie, Sugar'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.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Invert Sugar, Meringue Making Powder (Egg Whites, Sugar, Corn Starch, Xanthan Gum, Soy Lecithin, Locust Bean Gum, Sodium Aluminum Sulfate, Salt, Gelatin, Tartaric Acid, Cream Of Tartar, Milk).

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Leavening (Calcium Acid Phosphate, Calcium Phosphate, Potassium Bicarbonate, Calcium Carbonate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.