Tastykake, Cupcakes, Strawberry

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Tastykake, Cupcakes, Strawberry scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Modified Starches (Modified Cornstarch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Chemical Preservatives (Preserved With Potassium Sorbate): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Emulsifiers (Mono- And Diglycerides, Sorbitan Monostearate, Polysorbate 60, +2 more): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.
• Other Additives (Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Sodium Hexametaphosphate): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Within Cakes & Pastries, this product is more processed than about 16% of the 11,919 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 Tastykake, Cupcakes, Strawberry'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.

Stabilizers & GumsUPF marker

In this product: Agar, Guar Gum, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum.

Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Dextrose, Topped With Candy Sprinkles (Sugar, Corn Starch, Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil [Cottonseed Oil And Soybean Oil], Dextrin, Soy Lecithin, Fd&C Red 40 Lake, Confectioner'S Glaze, Fd&C Yellow 6 Lake, Natural And Artificial Flavor, Carnauba Wax).

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Palm Oil, Soybean Oil, Vegetable Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Baking Soda, Monocalcium Phosphate), Sodium Bicarbonate.

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Sulfate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Titanium Dioxide, Caramel Color.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.