Corn Flakes

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Chocolate Artificially Flavored Coating [Sugar, Hydrogenated Vegetable Fat (Palm), Dry Milk Preparation (Whey Powder (Milk), Maltodextrin, Corn Syrup Solids), Cocoa Powder, Modified Corn Starch, Sorbitan Tristearate, Soy Lecithin, Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate, Salt, Artificial And Natural Flavors]): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Artificial Sweeteners (Sucralose): Synthetic sweeteners are definitive UPF markers.
• Processed Fruit Products (Cocoa): Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Sealing Agent (Gum Arabic, Sugar, Glucose, Coconut Oil, Sorbic Acid (Preservative), Citric Acid)): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Within Breakfast Cereal, this product is more processed than about 77% of the 9,419 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 Corn Flakes' 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: Corn Flakes [Corn Grits, Sugar, Malt Extract, Wheat Flour, Salt, Milk, Rosemary Extract, Soy Lecithin, Ferrous Fumarate, Zinc Citrate, Vitamin A Acetate].

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.