Menu Flavors White Cheddar Queso Rice

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Menu Flavors White Cheddar Queso Rice scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup Solids): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Natural Flavors (Natural Flavor (Soy, Corn)): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Plant Proteins (Hydrolyzed Soy Protein): Isolated proteins require extensive industrial processing.
• Flavor Enhancers (Disodium Guanylate, Disodium Inosinate): Industrial flavor enhancement common in UPF.
• Processed Dairy Ingredients (Sodium Caseinate (Milk)): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.

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 Menu Flavors White Cheddar Queso Rice'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.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Enriched Parboiled Long Grain Rice [Rice, Niacin, Ferric Orthophosphate (Iron), Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Folic Acid], Enriched Vermicelli [Wheat And Durum Flour, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate (Iron), Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Folic Acid].

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Maltodextrin (Corn).

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: Palm Oil, High Oleic Sunflower Oil, Soybean Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Yeast Extract, Torula Yeast.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid, Lactic Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.