Iced Sugar Cookies

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Iced Sugar Cookies scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup, Dextrin): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Artificial Flavors (Natural & Artificial Flavors): Synthetic flavors indicate industrial food production.
• Other Additives (Distilled Monoglycerides, Confectioner'S Glaze (Lac Resin), Carnauba Wax): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.
• Emulsifiers (Soy Lecithin, Polysorbate 60): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Within Cookies & Crackers, this product is more processed than about 51% of the 18,630 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 Iced Sugar Cookies' 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: Sugar, Invert Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Margarine (Palm Oil, Water, Soybean Oil, Salt, Mono- & Diglycerides, Annatto [Color], Calcium Disodium Edta [Preservative], Artificial Flavor, Vitamin A Palmitate)Palm Oil.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Oil (Palm Kernel Oil And/Or Palm Oil And/Or Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil [Cottonseed And/Or Soybean Oil]).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Aluminum Sulfate, 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: Colors (Titanium Dioxide [Color], Blue 1 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 1, Blue 2, Blue 2 Lake, Red 3, Red 40, Red 40 Lake, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Yellow 6 Lake, Annatto [Color], Caramel [Color]).

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Propionate.

Natural sources but industrial application.