Beef Empanadas

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Beef Empanadas scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Chemical Preservatives (Potassium Sorbate): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Modified Proteins (Textured Vegetable Protein): Extensive modification indicates UPF.

Within Frozen Appetizers, this product is more processed than about 39% of the 4,714 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 Beef Empanadas' 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 Shortening (Palm 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, Tomato Ketchup (Tomato Concentrate, Sugar, Vinegar, Salt, Onion Powder, Natural Flavors), Bread Crumbs (Bleached Wheat Flour, Dextrose, Yeast, Salt), Beef Base (Roasted Beef Stock, Beef Stock, Salt, Sugar, Natural Flavors, Tomato Paste, Potato Starch, Yeast Extract, Sunflower Oil, Beef Fat, Lactic Acid).

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Potato Flakes Potatoes, Mono And Diglycerides Emulsifier , Color Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bisulfite, Citric Acid, Tocopherols , Crushed Red Pepper.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.