Cupcakes

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Modified Starches (Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Artificial Colors (Red 40, Blue 2, Yellow 5, +1 more): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Caramel (Sugar, Water, Evaporated Milk, Sweetened Condensed Milk (Milk, Sugar), Corn Syrup, Palm Kernel Oil, Invert Sugar Syrup, Non-Fat Dry Milk, Cream, Natural Flavor, Cultured Non-Fat Milk, Distilled Monoglyceride, Salt, Sodium Alginate, Natural Flavor, Soy Lecithin, Citric Acid), Agar, Locust Bean Gum, +2 more): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Emulsifiers (Soy Lecithin, Glycerin, Mono And Diglycerides): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

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 Cupcakes' ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

Processed Dairy IngredientsUPF marker

In this product: Soy Protein Isolate.

Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.

Other AdditivesUPF marker

In this product: Sodium Stearate.

Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Industrial EnzymesUPF marker

In this product: Enzymes.

Industrial enzyme use indicates significant processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Dextrose.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

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

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Animal And Vegetable Shortening (Tallow, Hydrogenated Tallow, Cottonseed Oil, Mono And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60, Soy Lecithin), Shortening (Palm Oil, Mono And Diglycerides), Palm Oil, Sunflower Oil, and 2 more.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Sulfate, Disodium Phosphate, Calcium Sodium Caseinate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.