Idahoan, Mashed Potatoes, Four Cheese

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Idahoan, Mashed Potatoes, Four Cheese 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.
• Artificial Flavors (Natural And Artificial Flavor (Milk, Soy)): Synthetic flavors indicate industrial food production.
• Artificial Colors (Artificial Color (Including Fd& C Yellow 5 And #6)): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Emulsifiers (Mono And Diglycerides): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.
• Processed Dairy Ingredients (Sodium Caseinate): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients 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, Four Cheese'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.

Flavor EnhancersUPF marker

In this product: Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate.

Industrial flavor enhancement common in UPF.

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 Color Including Fd& C Yellow 6 And #5 ], Romano And Parmesan Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes, Disodium Phosphate], Calcium Stearoyl Lactylate, Dipotassium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

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

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Maltodextrin.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate (Preserve Freshness).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Bisulfite (Preserve Freshness).

Natural sources but industrial application.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid (Preserve Freshness).

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.