Kroger, Pumpkin Spice Cake

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Kroger, Pumpkin Spice Cake 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.
• Modified Starches (Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Chemical Preservatives (Sodium Benzoate And Benzoic Acid): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5, Yellow 6): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Other Additives (Propylene Glycol Esters, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

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 Kroger, Pumpkin Spice 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.

EmulsifiersUPF marker

In this product: Sorbitan Monostearate, Polysorbate 60, Mono And Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin.

Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Stabilizers & GumsUPF marker

In this product: Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Cream Cheese Powder [Cream Cheese Solids (Cream, Nonfat Milk, Salt, Alginate, Lactic Acid), Corn Syrup Solids, Sodium Caseinate (Milk)Natural Flavor].

Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Cake: Sugar Bleached Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Molasses, Icing-Sugar, Maltodextrin.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soy Oil, Vegetable Shortening (Palm Oil, Canola Oil And/Or Soybean Oil, Mono And Diglycerides).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Baking Soda.

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

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

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.