Premium Hickory Bacon & Cheddar

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Premium Hickory Bacon & Cheddar scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Processed Meats (Mechanically Separated Chicken): Mechanically separated and reformed meats are UPF markers.
• Modified Starches (Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Chemical Preservatives (Sodium Nitrate): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Natural Flavors (Flavoring, Smoke Flavoring): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Within Bacon, Sausage & Hot Dogs, this product is more processed than about 88% of the 6,852 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 Premium Hickory Bacon & Cheddar'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.

Other AdditivesUPF marker

In this product: Sodium Phosphates, Sodium Diacetate, Sodium Erythorbate.

Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Pasteurized Process Cheddar Cheese (Cheddar Cheese (Cultured Pasteurized Milk, Salt, Enzymes), Water, Cream, Sodium Phosphate, Salt, Sorbic Acid (As A Preservative), Artificial Coloring), Potassium Acetate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Dextrose, Bacon Flavor (Potato Maltodextrin, Silicon Dioxide, Sunflower Oil, Natural Flavor, Gum Arabic).

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.