Danish

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Danish 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.
• Artificial Colors (Artificial Caramel Color): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Artificial Flavors (Artificial Flavor [Water, Ethyl Alcohol, Artificial Flavor]): Synthetic flavors indicate industrial food production.
• Chemical Preservatives (Natural And Artificial Flavor (Soybean Oil With Tbhq And Citric Acid), Potassium Sorbate): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Neufchatel Cheez Blend [Milk, Neufchatel Cheese (Pasteurized Milk And Cream, Cheese Culture, Salt, Carob Bean Gum), Skim Milk, Palm Oil, Milk Protein Concentrate, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Carob Bean Gum, Lactic Acid, Mono- And Diglycerides, Citric Acid As A Preservative, Apocarotenal (Color)], Caramel Sauce [Corn Syrup, Sugar, Brown Sugar, Skim Milk, Palm Oil, Butter, Cornstarch, Salt, Mono And Diglycerides, Potassium Sorbate (To Preserve Freshness), Soy Lecithin, Caramel Color, Xanthan Gum, Locust Bean Gum, Artificial Flavor, Natural Flavor], Microcrystalline Cellulose, +2 more): Industrial stabilizers common in 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 Danish'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.

Other AdditivesUPF marker

In this product: Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate.

Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Processed Dairy IngredientsUPF marker

In this product: Casein (Milk).

Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Margarine [Palm Oil, Soybean Oil, Water, Salt, Vegetable Mono And Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin, Sodium Benzoate And Citric Acid (Preservatives), Artificial Flavor, Beta Carotene (Color), Vitamin A Palmitate Added], Ascorbic Acid.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Butterscotch Filling (Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Brown Sugar, Modified Food Starch, Artificial Flavor, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Salt, Carageenan, Potassium Chloride, Titanium Dioxide, Caramel Color, Benzoic Acid, And Sorbic Acid.), Powdered Sugar (Sugar, Cornstarch), Dextrose.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Hydrated Monoglyceride [Water And Monoglycerides With Propionic Acid And Phosphoric Acid (Added As Preservatives)]. Contains Less Than 2% Of Each Of The Following: Walnuts, Lactic Acid Powder.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Yeast.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Shortening [Palm Oil With Soya Lecithin].

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.