Nacho Cheese Sauce

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Modified Starches (Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Artificial Colors (Yellow 6, Yellow 5): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Natural Flavors (Monosodium Glutamate): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Emulsifiers (Mono- And Diglycerides): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.
• Other Additives (Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Within Ketchup & Mustard, this product is more processed than about 77% of the 6,563 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 Nacho Cheese 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.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Oil (Contains One Or More Of Canola Oil, Soybean Oil, Sunflower Oil).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Maltodextrin.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Yeast Extract.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Acetic Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.