King Cake

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, King Cake 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.
• Chemical Preservatives (Sodium Benzoate (As Preservative)): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Artificial Colors (Natural And Artificial Colors & Flavors, Blue 1, Blue 1 Lake, +2 more): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Other Additives (Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Carnauba Wax): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.
• Emulsifiers (Mono & Diglycerides): Industrial emulsifiers indicate 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 King Cake'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.

Stabilizers & GumsUPF marker

In this product: Red 3. Cream Cheese Filling Pasteurized Milk And Cream, Cheese Culture, Salt, Stabilizers Carob Bean And/Or Xanthan And/Or Guar Gums , Potassium Sorbate As Preservative , Soybean Oil, Powdered Sugar, Powdered Lemon Juice Corn Syrup Solids, Lemon Juice Solids & Lemon Oil , Vanillin. Strawberry Filling - Fructose Corn Syrup, Strawberries, Water, Modified Food Starch, Sugar, Artificial Flavors, Salt, Citric Acid, Sodium Propionate & Potassium Sorbate As Preservatives , Stabilizers, Vegetable Gums Blend, Fd&C Red 40.

Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Maltodextrin.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Margarine (Palm Oil, Water, Salt, Vegetable Monoglycerides, Whey Solids, Natural And Artificial Flavor, Citric Acid, Beta Carotene (Color), Vitamin A Palmitate Added), Tocopherols, Ascorbic Acid.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

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.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Ammonium Sulfate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.