Stuffed Jalapenos with Cheddar Cheese, Cheddar Cheese

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Stuffed Jalapenos with Cheddar Cheese, Cheddar Cheese scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Stabilizers & Gums (Cellulose Gum, Sodium Alginate): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Natural Flavors (Natural Flavor): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Within Frozen Appetizers, this product is more processed than about 39% of the 4,714 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 Stuffed Jalapenos with Cheddar Cheese, Cheddar Cheese'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.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Green Jalapeno Peppers [Peppers, Water, Acetic Acid, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative)], Citric Acid, Lactic Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Pasteurized Process Cheddar Cheese [Cheddar Cheese (Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes), Water, Milkfat, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Salt, Apocarotenal Color], Disodium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Oil (Soybean And/Or Canola Oil), Sunflower Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Dextrose.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Leavening (Sodium Bicarbonate), Leavening (Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, 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: Silicon Dioxide (To Prevent Caking).

Common in powdered processed foods.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Yeast, Yeast Nutrients (Calcium Sulfate, Ammonium Chloride).

Industrial fermentation for additive production.