Orange Chicken

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (High Fructose Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Modified Starches (Modified Tapioca Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Natural Flavors (Natural Flavor): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Xanthan Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Within Frozen Dinners, this product is more processed than about 37% of the 5,358 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 Orange Chicken'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: Baby Cob Corn. Sauce: Sugar, Chili Garlic Sauce (Salted Chili Pepper, Garlic, White Sugar, Rice Vinegar, Water, Modified Corn Starch, Acetic Acid).

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Sesame Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Sorbic Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.