Meatballs in Marinara Sauce

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Modified Starches (Modified Cornstarch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Natural Flavors (Flavoring): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Within Boxed Dinners & Sides, this product is more processed than about 53% of the 4,145 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 Meatballs in Marinara Sauce'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 Italian Style Meatballs (Beef, Water, Textured Soy Protein Concentrate, Bread Crumbs [Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour {Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid}, Durum Flour, Leavening {Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate}], Romano Cheese [Pasteurized Sheep'S Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes], Salt, Flavorings, Dried Egg Whites, Spice, Parsley).

Natural sources but industrial application.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Olive Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Yeast Extract.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.