Spring Chicks Premium Cupcake Kit, Spring Chicks

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Spring Chicks Premium Cupcake Kit, Spring Chicks 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 Sweeteners (Sucralose): Synthetic sweeteners are definitive UPF markers.
• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5. Candy Beaks: Glucose Powder, Yellow 6, Blue 1, +3 more): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Dextrin): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Xanthan Gum. Candy Feathers: Potato Starch, Gum Arabic): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Within Baking Mixes, this product is more processed than about 55% of the 5,176 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 Spring Chicks Premium Cupcake Kit, Spring Chicks' 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: Flavor (Vanilla).

Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Other AdditivesUPF marker

In this product: Carnauba Wax, Shellac.

Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Cake Mix Ingredients: Sugar, Dextrose, Yellow 6. Candy Eyes: Dextrose.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Shortening ( [Contains One Or More Of The Following: Palm Oil And/Or Soybean Oil], Propylene Glycol Mono And Diesters, Mono And Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin, Citric Acid [Preservative]).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Anti-Caking AgentsProcessing indicator

In this product: Magnesium Stearate.

Common in powdered processed foods.