Lemon Meringue Pie

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Lemon Meringue Pie 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.
• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5, Yellow 6): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Carob Bean Gum, Agar): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Within Cakes & Pastries, this product is more processed than about 16% of the 11,919 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 Lemon Meringue Pie'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.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Dextrose.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Palm Oil, Margarine (Palm Oil, Water, Salt, Mono- And Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin, Sodium Benzoate [To Preserve Freshness], Artificial Flavors, Colored With Beta Carotene, Vitamin A Palmitate), Lemon Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid, Preserved With Sorbic Acid And Calcium Propionate.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Citrate, Sodium Phosphate, Potassium Bitartrate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.