Chocolate Chip Brownies

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup Solids): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Modified Starches (Modified Cornstarch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Modified Fats (Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Shortening (Soybean And/Or Cottonseed Oil)): Hydrogenation and modification are UPF markers.
• Processed Fruit Products (Cocoa (Natural And Processed With Alkali), Polysorbate 60 Chocolate Liquor): Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.
• Sugar Alcohols (Sorbitol): Modified sweeteners common in diet UPF products.

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 Chocolate Chip Brownies' ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

EmulsifiersUPF marker

In this product: Soy Lecithin.

Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Stabilizers & GumsUPF marker

In this product: Cellulose Gum Sodium Bicarbonate, Agar, Locust Bean Gum.

Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Other AdditivesUPF marker

In this product: Sodium Hexametaphosphate.

Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Drops (Sugar, Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa Butter, Dextrose, Soy Lecithin, Vanillin [Artificial Flavor]), Dextrose.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Palm Oil With Mono And Diglycerides, Soybean Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Aluminum Sulfate, Cornstarch, Calcium Sulfate, Monocalcium Phosphate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Calcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Sulfate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.