Italian Breaded Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Italian Breaded Mozzarella Cheese Sticks scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Other Additives (Batter (Bleached Wheat Flour, Modified Food Starch, Salt, Soybean Oil, Torula Yeast)): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Coating Added For Moisture Retention [Modified Potato Starch, Rice Flour, Dextrin, Salt, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Xanthan Gum, Whole Eggs]): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Within Frozen Appetizers, this product is more processed than about 39% of the 4,714 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 Italian Breaded Mozzarella Cheese Sticks' 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: Breading (Bleached Wheat Flour, Salt, Yeast, Dextrose, Vital Wheat Gluten), Breading (Bleached Wheat Flour, Yeast, Sugar, Salt).

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Anti-Caking AgentsProcessing indicator

In this product: Batter [Yellow Corn Flour, Wheat Flour, Modified Food Starch, Buttermilk Powder, Dried Onion, Salt, Dried Garlic, Maltodextrin, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Dried Whey, Nonfat Dry Milk, Soybean Oil {Processing Aid}, Natural Flavor, Butter (Cream, Salt), Paprika Extract {Color}, Annatto Extract {Color}, Turmeric Extract {Color}, And Less Than 2% Of Silicon Dioxide {To Prevent Caking}].

Common in powdered processed foods.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.