Swedish Meatballs

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Swedish Meatballs 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.
• Natural Flavors (Pot Roast-Type Flavor (Water, Natural Flavor, Salt, Beef Stock, Beef Fat, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Corn Starch, Xanthan Gum)): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Xanthan Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

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 Swedish Meatballs' 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 Macaroni Product (Water, Durum Semolina [Enriched With Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]).

Natural sources but industrial application.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Cooked Swedish Style Meatballs (Beef, Water, Textured Vegetable Protein [Soy Flour, Caramel Color], Bread Crumbs [Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour {Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid}, Salt, Durum Flour, Soybean Oil Shortening, Leavening {Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate}, Dextrose, Yeast, Spice Extractive], Soy Protein Concentrate, Salt, Dried Whole Eggs, Flavorings, Worcestershire Sauce Powder {Salt, Worcestershire Sauce [Vinegar, Sugar, Salt, Onion, Tomato, Apple, Caramel Color, Spices, Yeast Extract], Maltodextrin, Spices, Caramel Color, Garlic Powder}, Paprika, Spice, Nonfat Dry Milk), Veal Flavor Concentrate (Veal Stock Concentrate, Salt, Natural Flavor, Yeast Extract, Sugar), Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Beef Base (Roasted Beef And Concentrated Beef Stock, Salt, Hydrolyzed Plant Protein (Soy, Corn, Wheat), Corn Oil, Sugar, Auto-Lyzed Yeast, Flavoring, Maltodextrin, Dried Whey, Dextrose, Caramel Color).

Industrial fermentation for additive production.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Canola Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.