Potato Chips

Why Does This Score Highly Processed?

In our analysis, Potato Chips 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 (Monosodium Glutamate, Natural Smoke Flavor, Natural Flavors): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Within Chips & Crisps, this product is more processed than about 56% of the 10,682 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 Potato Chips' 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 (Contains One Or More Of The Following: Corn Oil, Sunflower Oil, Or Canola Oil).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Dextrose, Fructose.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Yeast.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Caramel Color.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.