Chocolate Variety Cake

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Modified Starches (Modified Tapioca Starch, Modified Cornstarch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Corn-Based Sweeteners (High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5 Lake): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Processed Fruit Products (Cocoa Alkali Processed, Chocolate Cake With Fudge Icing Also Contains: Water, Chocolate Liquor, +1 more): Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.
• Other Additives (Propylene Glycol Mono And Diesters Of Fats And Fatty Acids, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

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 Variety Cake'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.

EmulsifiersUPF marker

In this product: Mono And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60, Soy Lecithin.

Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Processed Dairy IngredientsUPF marker

In this product: Sodium Caseinate.

Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.

Stabilizers & GumsUPF marker

In this product: Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Semisweet Chocolate Chunks (Sugar, Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa Butter, Milkfat, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavor, Salt)Cream (Cream, Milk, Nonfat Milk, Carrageenan, Cellulose Gum, Monoglycerides, Polysorbate 80, Salt, Guar Gum)Palm And Palm Kernel Oils.

Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Natural FlavorsUPF marker

In this product: Natural Flavor.

Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Fudge Icing - Sugar, Semisweet Chocolate Chips (Sugar, Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa Butter, Dextrose, Soy Lecithin, Salt, Artificial Flavor), Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing - Sugar, Cream Cheese Icing - Sugar, and 3 more.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Shortening (Palm And Soybean Oils, Mono And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60, To Preserve Freshness [Tbhq]), Soybean Oil, Margarine (Palm Oil, Water, Soybean Oil, Salt, Mono And Diglycerides, Artificial Flavor, Annato Extract, To Preserve Freshness [Calcium Disodium Edta], Vitamin A Palmitate).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: The Following: Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.