Idahoan, Mashed Potatoes

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup Solids): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Modified Proteins (Textured Vegetable Protein (Soy Flour, Caramel Color, Red 3)): Extensive modification indicates UPF.
• Artificial Flavors (Natural And Artificial Flavors (Including Smoke Flavor)): Synthetic flavors indicate industrial food production.
• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5, Yellow 6): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Emulsifiers (Mono And Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Within Prepared Entrees, this product is more processed than about 53% of the 6,999 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 Idahoan, Mashed Potatoes' ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

Plant ProteinsUPF marker

In this product: Hydrolyzed Soy Protein.

Isolated proteins require extensive industrial processing.

Flavor EnhancersUPF marker

In this product: Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate.

Industrial flavor enhancement common in UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Oil (Contains One Or More Of The Following: Coconut, Soybean, Sunflower, Cottonseed, Canola).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Four Cheese Blend (Cheddar Cheese Blend [Whey, Maltodextrin, Reduced Lactose Whey, Canola Oil, Cheddar And Blue Cheese (Cultured Milk, Salt, Enzymes), Salt, Disodium Phosphate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Artificial Colors (Yellow 6 And Yellow 5)], Romano And Parmesan Cheeses [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes, Disodium Phosphate]), Potassium Chloride, Calcium Stearoyl Lactylate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Maltodextrin, Dextrose.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Anti-Caking AgentsProcessing indicator

In this product: Calcium Stearate, Less Than 2% Silicon Dioxide Added As An Anticaking Agent.

Common in powdered processed foods.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Autolyzed Yeast Extract.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.