Pasta Sides Parmesan Pesto

Why Does This Score Highly Processed?

In our analysis, Pasta Sides Parmesan Pesto scores Highly Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Natural Flavors (Natural Flavor (Soy, Milk)): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Flavor Enhancers (Disodium Guanylate, Disodium Inosinate): Industrial flavor enhancement common in UPF.

Within Boxed Dinners & Sides, this product is more processed than about 25% of the 4,145 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 Pasta Sides Parmesan Pesto'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.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Macaroni Product [Semolina And Durum Flour (Wheat), Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate (Iron), Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Folic Acid].

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

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: Potassium Chloride, Calcium Lactate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: High Oleic Sunflower Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Torula Yeast, Yeast Extract.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.