Tastykake, Juniors, Chocolate Layer Cakes

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Tastykake, Juniors, Chocolate Layer Cakes scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Modified Starches (Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Processed Fruit Products (Cocoa (Natural And Processed With Alkali)): Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.
• Emulsifiers (Mono- And Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin, Polysorbate 60): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.
• Plant Proteins (Soy Protein): Isolated proteins require extensive industrial 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, Juniors, Chocolate Layer Cakes' ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

Other AdditivesUPF marker

In this product: Propylene Glycol Mono- And Diesters Of Fats And Fatty Acids, Distilled Monoglycerides.

Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Stabilizers & GumsUPF marker

In this product: Xanthan Gum, Agar.

Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Liquid Sucrose.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Shortening (Soybean Oil, Palm Oil, And Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: 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.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Calcium Sulfate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Lactic Acid, Sorbic Acid And Potassium Sorbate (To Retard Spoilage).

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.