Spaghetti Rings Pasta with Meat Balls

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Spaghetti Rings Pasta with Meat Balls scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (High Fructose Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Natural Flavors (Natural Flavor): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Industrial Enzymes (Enzyme Modified Cheddar Cheese (Cheddar Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Salt, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, Nonfat Dry Milk, Natural Flavor)): Industrial enzyme use indicates significant processing.

Within Soup & Chili, this product is more processed than about 64% of the 7,596 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 Spaghetti Rings Pasta with Meat Balls' 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: Meatballs (Beef, Pork, Water, Breadcrumbs [Enriched Wheat Flour {Wheat Flour, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid}, Dextrose, Salt, Yeast, Soybean Oil], Textured Soy Protein [Soy Flour, Caramel Color], Soy Protein Concentrate, Salt, Soy Protein Isolate, Potassium Chloride, Natural Flavor, Spice Extract, Caramel Color).

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: Enriched Pasta Product (Wheat Flour, Tricalcium Phosphate, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D), Enriched Pasta Product (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid).

Natural sources but industrial application.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Potassium Chloride.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Ascorbic Acid.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Beta Carotene.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.