Smith's, Cake, Chocolate Peppermint

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Smith's, Cake, Chocolate Peppermint scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Modified Starches (Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Artificial Colors (Red 40 Lake, Blue 1 Lake, Blue 1, +6 more): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup, Polysorbate 80. Colored Icing Also Contains- Shortening [Palm Oil, Canola And/Or Soybean Oil, Mono And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60, Tbhq (Preservatives)]. Contains Less Than 2% Of High Fructose Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Chemical Preservatives (Sodium Benzoate): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Modified Fats (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Cottonseed And/Or Soybean)): Hydrogenation and modification are UPF markers.

Within Cakes & Pastries, this product is more processed than about 16% of the 11,919 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 Smith's, Cake, Chocolate Peppermint'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.

Processed Fruit ProductsUPF marker

In this product: Cocoa Processed With Alkali, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative). Chocolate Icing Also Contains-Cocoa Processed With Alkali.

Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.

Other AdditivesUPF marker

In this product: Emulsifiers (Sorbitan Monostearte, Mono- & Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Soy Lecithin).

Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Stabilizers & GumsUPF marker

In this product: Guar Gum, Cellulose Gum, Carrageenan.

Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

EmulsifiersUPF marker

In this product: Mono And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60.

Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Cake-Sugar, Dextrose, Yellow 5 Lake. White Icing- Sugar, Natural Peppermint Oil. Peppermint Candy Cane Shapes-Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil, Vegetable Shortening (Interesterified Soybean Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Mono-And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Monocalcium Phosphate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.