Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Artificial Flavors (Natural & Artificial Flavor (Contains Lipolyzed Butter Oil)): Synthetic flavors indicate industrial food production.
• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Processed Dairy Ingredients (Sodium Caseinate): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.
• Plant Proteins (Hydrolyzed Soy Protein): Isolated proteins require extensive industrial processing.
• Emulsifiers (Mono & Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Within Prepared Entrees, this product is more processed than about 53% of the 6,999 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 Loaded Mashed Potatoes' 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, Disodium Guanylate.

Industrial flavor enhancement common in UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Oil (Contains One Or More Of The Following: Coconut, Palm, Soybean, Cottonseed, Sunflower, Canola).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Maltodextrin, Cheddar Cheese Blend (Whey, Cheddar Cheese [Cultured Milk, Salt, Enzymes], Reduced Lactose Whey, Maltodextrin, Canola Oil, Salt, Disodium Phosphate, Blue Cheese [Cultured Milk, Salt, Enzymes], Nonfat Dry Milk, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor), Textured Vegetable Protein (Textured Soy Flour, Soybean Oil, Water, Salt, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysates, Natural Flavor, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sugar, Caramel Color, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Yellow 6, Red 3), Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Autolyzed Yeast Extract.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Dipotassium Phosphate, Tricalcium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.