Kroger, Crunchy Fish Sticks

Why Does This Score Highly Processed?

In our analysis, Kroger, Crunchy Fish Sticks scores Highly Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Modified Starches (Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Natural Flavors (Natural Flavor): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Within Seafood, this product is more processed than about 80% of the 7,747 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 Kroger, Crunchy Fish 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.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Oil (Canola, Cottonseed And/Or Soybean Oil).

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, Dextrose.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Yeast, Yeast Extract.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Leavening (Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Aluminium Phosphate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Caramel Color.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.