Tastykake, Kandy Kakes, Key Lime

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Tastykake, Kandy Kakes, Key Lime 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 Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Artificial Flavors (Natural And Artificial Flavor (Contains Milk Ingredients)): Synthetic flavors indicate industrial food production.
• Artificial Colors (Blue 1, Yellow 5): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Emulsifiers (Glycerine, Soy Lecithin, Mono- And Diglycerides): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

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, Kandy Kakes, Key Lime'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.

Other AdditivesUPF marker

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

Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Stabilizers & GumsUPF marker

In this product: Xanthan Gum.

Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Confectionery Coating (Sugar, Palm Kernel And Palm Oil, Nonfat Dry Milk, Titanium Dioxide [Color], Soy Lecithin), Sugar, Molasses.

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), Lime Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

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

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Caramel Color.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Calcium Sulfate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.