Tastykake, Kandy Kakes, Summer Key Lime

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Tastykake, Kandy Kakes, Summer 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.
• Chemical Preservatives (Natural And Artificial Flavor Contains Milk Ingredients, Distilled Monoglycerides, Pulp Cells, Propylene Glycol Mono And Diesters Of Fats And Fatty Acids, Xanthan Gum, Lactylic Esters Of Fatty Acids, Calcium Sulfate, Lime Oil, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Fd&C Blue 1, Fd&C Yellow 5, Lactic Acid, Sorbic Acid And Potassium Sorbate To Retard Spoilage): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• 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, Summer 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.

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: Vegetables Shortening (Soybean Oil, Palm Oil, And Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Enriched Bleached Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid)Whle Wheat Flour.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

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

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Caramel Color.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.