Cake

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Modified Fats (Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Soybean And/Or Cottonseed Oil)): Hydrogenation and modification are UPF markers.
• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Processed Fruit Products (Hershey'S Cocoa Processed With Alkali): Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.
• Emulsifiers (Glycerin, Mono & Diglycerides, Polysorbate 80, +2 more): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.
• Other Additives (Propylene Glycol Mono & Diesters Of Fatty Acids): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

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 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.

Stabilizers & GumsUPF marker

In this product: Methylcellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum.

Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Invert Sugar, Dextrose.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil, Margarine (Palm Oil, Water, Soybean Oil, Salt, Mono & Diglycerides, Colored With Annatto, Calcium Disodium Edta Added As Preservative, Artificial Flavor, Vitamin A Palmitate Added), Palm Oil, Canola Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

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

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Potassium Sorbate And Sodium Propionate And Sorbic Acid (As Preservatives), Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Caramel Color.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Tricalcium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.