Red Velvet Muffins

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Artificial Colors (Vanilla Flavor (Natural Flavor, Artificial Flavor, Water, Propylene Glycol, Caramel Color)): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Artificial Sweeteners (Sucralose): Synthetic sweeteners are definitive UPF markers.
• Sugar Alcohols (Maltitol): Modified sweeteners common in diet UPF products.
• Processed Fruit Products (Cocoa (Processed With Alkali)): Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.
• Emulsifiers (Glycerine): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

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 Red Velvet Muffins' 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: Cake Base (Enriched, Bleached Wheat Flour [Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Modified Food Starch, Sodium Caseinate, Canola Oil, Wheat Starch, Nonfat Dry Milk, Propylene Glycerol, Mono And Diesters Of Fats And Fatty Acids, Mono And Diglycerides [With Bht And Citric Acid To Help Protect Flavor]And Lecithin (Emulsifiers), Leavening [Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Acidic With Aluminium Sulfate, Sodium Bicarbonate], Salt, Wheat Gluten, Sodium Caseinate, Natural Flavor, Artificial Flavor, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Cellulose Gum, Benzoyl Peroxide).

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil, Margarine (Palm Oil, Soybean Oil, Water, Salt, Vegetable Monoglycerides, Lecithin, Sodium Benzoate, Artificial Flavor, Beta Carotene, Vitamin A).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Red Color (Propylene Glycol, Red 3, Red 40, Water, Vegetable Gums).

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: Calcium Propionate (As A Preservative).

Natural sources but industrial application.