Pizza

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Other Additives (Toppings: Sauce (Water, Tomato Paste, Soybean Oil, Modified Food Starch, Salt, Spices, Seasoning [Salt, Paprika, Spices, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Parmesan Cheese {Pasteurized Cultured Part-Skim Milk, Salt, Enzymes}], Garlic Powder, Xanthan Gum)): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.
• Processed Dairy Ingredients (Wheat Protein Isolate (Wheat Gluten, Lactic Acid)): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.
• Natural Flavors (Natural Flavor): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Within Pizza, this product is more processed than about 24% of the 4,362 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 Pizza'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: Cooked Italian Style Pizza Topping (Sausage [Pork, Mechanically Separated Chicken, Spices, Salt, Water, Sugar, Paprika, Flavorings, Sodium Phosphates], Water, Textured Vegetable Protein [Soy Flour, Soy Protein Concentrate, Caramel Color]), Dextrose.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Chicken And Beef (Pork, Mechanically Separated Chicken, Beef, Salt, Spices, Dextrose, Lactic Acid Starter Culture, Oleoresin Paprika, Sodium Ascorbate, Flavoring, Sodium Nitrite, Bha, Bht, Citric Acid). Crust: Wheat Flour.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil, Palm Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Yeast.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Beta Carotene.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.