Meatball

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Modified Starches (Modified Food Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Industrial Enzymes (Beef & Chicken (Pork, Water, Beef, Mechanically Separated Chicken, Seasoning [Parmesan Cheese (Part-Skim Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes), Salt, Dehydrated Garlic, Dehydrated Onion, Spices, Parsley Flakes], Bread Crumbs [Bleached Wheat Flour, Salt, Yeast, Dextrose, Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Soybean And/Or Cottonseed Oil)], Soy Flour Protein [Soy Flour, Caramel Color], Salt)): Industrial enzyme use indicates significant processing.
• Other Additives (Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.
• Plant Proteins (Hydrolyzed Soy Protein (Hydrolyzed Soy Protein With A Maximum Of 2% Soybean Oil)): Isolated proteins require extensive industrial processing.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Carrageenan, Xanthan Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in 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 Meatball'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.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Of: Vegetable Oil (Soybean, Cottonseed, Corn, And/Or Canola Oil), Vegetable Shortening (Palm Oil, Natural Flavor, Soy Lecithin).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Dextrose, Sugar, Maltodextrin.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Yeast.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate.

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Monocalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.