Sharp Cheddar Cheese Sauce, Original

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Sharp Cheddar Cheese Sauce, Original scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Modified Starches (Modified Cornstarch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Natural Flavors (Natural Flavors): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Processed Dairy Ingredients (Sodium Caseinate): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.
• Emulsifiers (Datem, Mono- And Diglycerides): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Within Ketchup & Mustard, this product is more processed than about 77% of the 6,563 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 Sharp Cheddar Cheese Sauce, Original'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.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Maltodextrin.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, Natural Flavor (Cheddar Cheese (Milk, Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Whey, Sodium Phosphate, Enzymes).

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Beta Carotene.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Yeast Extract.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.