Kroger, White Peppermint Cake

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Kroger, White Peppermint Cake scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup, Polysorbate 80. Colored Icing Also Contains- Shortening [Palm Oil, Canola And/Or Soybean Oil, Mono And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60, Tbhq (Preservatives)]. Contains Less Than 2% Of High Fructose Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Chemical Preservatives (Sodium Benzoate): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Artificial Colors (Blue 1, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, +5 more): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Modified Fats (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Cottonseed And/Or Soybean)): Hydrogenation and modification are UPF markers.
• Emulsifiers (Sorbitan Monostearate, Mono- & Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60, +2 more): 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 Kroger, White Peppermint 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.

Other AdditivesUPF marker

In this product: Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate.

Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Natural FlavorsUPF marker

In this product: Artificial & Natural Flavors.

Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Processed Fruit ProductsUPF marker

In this product: Potassium Sorbate (Preservative). Chocolate Icing Also Contains-Cocoa Processed With Alkali.

Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.

Stabilizers & GumsUPF marker

In this product: Guar Gum, Cellulose Gum, Carrageenan.

Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Cake-Sugar, Dextrose, White Icing- Sugar, Natural Peppermint Oil. Peppermint Candy Cane Shapes-Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil, Vegetable Shortening (Interesterified Soybean Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Mono-And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt, Water. Contains Less Than 2% Of Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Monocalcium Phosphate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.