Stouffer's, Rigatoni with Chicken & Pesto, Classics

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Stouffer's, Rigatoni with Chicken & Pesto, Classics scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Modified Starches (Modified Cornstarch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Emulsifiers (Datem): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Within Frozen Dinners, this product is more processed than about 37% of the 5,358 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 Stouffer's, Rigatoni with Chicken & Pesto, Classics' 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: Cooked Chicken White Meat (Chicken White Meat, Water, Seasoning [Salt, Maltodextrin, Garlic, Sugar, Spices, Dextrose, Yeast Extract, Carrageenan, Orange Peel, Onion, Soybean Oil, Chicken Fat, Paprika, Chicken Broth, Dehydrated Celery, Natural Flavor], Isolated Soy Protein, Modified Cornstarch, Caramel Color, Maltodextrin, Sodium Phosphates, Canola Oil), Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 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.

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.