Meal

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Modified Starches (Modified Corn Starch, Modified Rice Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Processed Meats (Gelatin): Mechanically separated and reformed meats are UPF markers.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Natural Flavors (Flavoring): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Within Frozen Dinners, this product is more processed than about 37% of the 5,358 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 Meal'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.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: Cooked Enriched Pasta (Water, Durum Flour [Durum Wheat Semolina, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate {Iron}, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Soybean Oil, Egg Whites).

Natural sources but industrial application.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Chicken (White Meat Chicken, Water, Olive Oil, Isolated Soy Protein Product [Isolated Soy Protein, Modified Potato Starch, Corn Starch, Carrageenan, Soy Lecithin], Dextrose, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Sodium Phosphates, Flavoring).

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.