Strawberry Shortcake Bars

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Artificial Colors (Red 40, Blue 1): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Emulsifiers (Mono And Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin And Red 3): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Guar Gum, Carob Bean Gum, Cellulose Gum, +1 more): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Within Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts, this product is more processed than about 38% of the 14,928 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 Strawberry Shortcake Bars' ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Annatto Color Coating: Coconut Oil, Vegetable Shortening (Partially Hydrogenated Oils: Soybean, Cottonseed).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Baking Soda.

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.