Mate Energizing Iced Tea, Cherry

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Mate Energizing Iced Tea, Cherry 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.
• Chemical Preservatives (Potassium Sorbate (Preserves Freshness)): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Artificial Sweeteners (Sucralose): Synthetic sweeteners are definitive UPF markers.
• Artificial Colors (Red 40, Blue 1): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Natural Flavors (Green Tea, Natural Flavor): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Within Tea & Coffee, this product is more processed than about 94% of the 6,751 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 Mate Energizing Iced Tea, Cherry'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 Hexametaphosphate.

Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Stabilizers & GumsUPF marker

In this product: Citrus Pectin.

Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Ascorbic Acid.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Acesulfame Potassium, Calcium Disodium Edta.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.