Holiday Decorating Cookie Kit

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup And High Fructose Corn Syrup, Glucose): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Modified Starches (Modified Cornstarch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Chemical Preservatives (Preservative - Potassium Sorbate): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Artificial Colors (Red 40, Fd&C Yellow 5, Fd&C Red 3, Fd&C Yellow 6, Fd&C Blue 1, Blue 1, Red 3, Fd&C Red 40, Fd&C Yellow 5, Fd&C Yellow 6, Fd&C Blue 1, Fd&C Red 40 Lake, Fd&C Blue 1 Lake, Titanium Dioxide): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Emulsifiers (Soy Mono- And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60, Soy Lecithin): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Within Baking Supplies, this product is more processed than about 55% of the 5,060 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 Holiday Decorating Cookie Kit'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: Gum Arabic.

Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Other AdditivesUPF marker

In this product: Confectioner'S Glaze, Carnauba Wax.

Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar Cookies: Enriched Wheat Flour (Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Ascorbic Acid), Sugar, Invert Sugar, Artificial Flavor. Pre-Made Icing: Powdered Sugar, and 5 more.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Oil, Shortening (Canola, Modified Palm, Palm Kernel), Vegetable Oils (Palm, Canola), Vegetable Oil (Fractionated Palm Kernel).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Leavening (Sodium Bicarbonate).

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: Citric Acid, Malic Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Anti-Caking AgentsProcessing indicator

In this product: Calcium Stearate.

Common in powdered processed foods.