Original Variety Cheesecake

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Original Variety Cheesecake 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.
• Chemical Preservatives (Potassium Sorbate): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Cream Cheese (Pasteurized Milk And Cream, Cheese Culture, Salt, Stabilizers (Carob And/Or Xanthan And/Or Guar Gums)), Xanthan Gum, Sour Cream (Cultured Cream, Food Starch-Modified, Sodium Phosphate, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Locust Bean Gum, Potassium Sorbate (To Preserve Freshness))): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Processed Dairy Ingredients (Whey Protein Concentrate): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.
• Natural Flavors (Natural Flavor, Vanilla): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

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 Original Variety Cheesecake'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.

Industrial EnzymesUPF marker

In this product: Enzymes.

Industrial enzyme use indicates significant processing.

Processed Fruit ProductsUPF marker

In this product: Cocoa Powder.

Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Graham Crackers (Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine, Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Whole Wheat/Graham Flour, Sugar, Vegetable Oil Shortening (Partially Hydrogenated Soybean And/Or Cottonseed Oils), High Fructose, Corn Syrup, Molasses, Honey, Salt, Sodium Bicarbonate), Chocolate Cookie Crumb (Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Sugar, Vegetable Oil Shortening (Partially Hydrogenated Soybean And/Or Cottonseed Oils), Cocoa Processed With Alkali, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Flour, Salt, Dextrose, Sodium Bicarbonate, Soy Lecithin).

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Lactic Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Brown Sugar, Strawberry Puree (High Fructose Corn Syrup, Water, Strawberries, Modified Food Starch, Sugar, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Salt, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate And Potassium Sorbate, Artificial Flavor, Fd&C Red 40), Invert Sugar Syrup.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Margarine (Palm Oil, Water, Salt, Mono And Diglycerides, Artificial Flavor, Colored With Annatto, Calcium Disodium Edta, Vitamin A Palmitate Added), Soybean Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Bicarbonate.

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.