Spicy Rib Sandwich

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Spicy Rib Sandwich scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Modified Starches (Salt Modified Food Starch, Modified Food Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Chemical Preservatives (Sodium Benzoate As A Preservative): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Other Additives (Dough Conditioners (Vegetable Mono & Diglycerides, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate)): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.
• Natural Flavors (Smoke Flavoring, Natural Smoke Flavor, Natural Flavor): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Within Sandwiches & Wraps, this product is more processed than about 15% of the 1,978 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 Spicy Rib Sandwich'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.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Bun: Wheat Flour [Enriched With Barley Malt, Iron (Ferrous Sulfate)And The Following B Vitamins: Niacin, Vitamin B (Thiamin Mononitrate), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Folic Acid], Water Vegetable Protein Product [Soy Protein Concentrate, Caramel Color, Zinc, Oxide, Niacinamide. Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Gluconate Vitamin A Palmitate, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate B1 Pyridoxine Hydrochloride B6 Riboflavin B2 Cyanocobalamin B12 ].

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Fresh Yeast.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: Calcium Propionate.

Natural sources but industrial application.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Phosphate; Sweet Baby Ray'S Bbq Sauce: High Fructose Corn Syrup.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Caramel Color.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Molasses, Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.