La Moderna Assorted Cookies, 8 Oz, 2 Count

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, La Moderna Assorted Cookies, 8 Oz, 2 Count scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (High Fructose Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Modified Starches (Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, +3 more): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Processed Fruit Products (Cocoa Powder): Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.
• Emulsifiers (Soy Lecithin): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Within Cookies & Crackers, this product is more processed than about 51% of the 18,630 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 La Moderna Assorted Cookies, 8 Oz, 2 Count'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.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Dextrose, Chocolate Chips (Sugar, Palm Shortening, Maltodextrine, Cocoa, Soy Lecithin And Artificial Flavor), Wafer Cookies - Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Shortening (Canola High Oleic Oil And Palm Oil And / Or Its Fractions), Vegetable Shortening (Canola High Oleic Oil And Palm Oil And /Or Its Fractions), Vegetable Shortening (Palm Oil, Kernel Oil And / Or Its Fractions), Oil Palm Preservatives (Tbhq).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: Preservatives (Tbhq, Ascorbyl Palmitate And Tocopherols), Preservatives (Tbhq).

Natural sources but industrial application.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Bicarbonate.

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Iodized Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Cholecalciferol, Pantothenic Acid, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin A Palmitate, and 1 more.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Zinc Oxide.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.