Shrimp Alfredo with Creamy Shell Pasta

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Shrimp Alfredo with Creamy Shell Pasta scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Modified Starches (Modified Corn Starch, Modified Food Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Chemical Preservatives (Potassium Sorbate (Added To Protect Flavor)): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Not More Than 2% Silicon Dioxide And Powdered Cellulose Added To Prevent Caking): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Emulsifiers (Soy Lecithin, Polysorbate 80 (0.56%)): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.
• Industrial Enzymes (Enzyme Modified Parmesan Cheese (Parmesan Cheese [Milk, Starter Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Cream, Natural Flavor), Enzyme Modified Butter): Industrial enzyme use indicates significant processing.

Within Frozen Dinners, this product is more processed than about 37% of the 5,358 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 Shrimp Alfredo with Creamy Shell Pasta'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.

Natural FlavorsUPF marker

In this product: Natural Flavors.

Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Flavor EnhancersUPF marker

In this product: Disodium Inosinate And Disodium Guanylate.

Industrial flavor enhancement common in UPF.

Other AdditivesUPF marker

In this product: Sodium Tripolyphosphate (To Retain Moisture).

Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: Pasta (Water, Duram Wheat Semolina, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin And Folic Acid), Sodium Bisulfite (As A Preservative).

Natural sources but industrial application.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Palm Oil, Soybean Oil (As A Processing Aid).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Maltodextrin, Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Yeast Extract.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.