Taco Flavored Tortilla Chips, Taco

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Taco Flavored Tortilla Chips, Taco scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Artificial Colors (Artificial Color (Including Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 2 Lake, Yellow 6, Yellow 5)): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Modified Starches (Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Processed Dairy Ingredients (Whey Protein Concentrate): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.
• Natural Flavors (Monosodium Glutamate): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Within Chips & Crisps, this product is more processed than about 85% of the 10,682 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 Taco Flavored Tortilla Chips, Taco'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.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

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

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Maltodextrin (Made From Corn).

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid, Lactic Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.