Traditional Brandied Dark Fruit Cake

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Traditional Brandied Dark Fruit Cake scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Chemical Preservatives (Sodium Benzoate): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Artificial Colors (Natural And Artificial Flavor And Color, Yellow 5, Red 40): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Processed Fruit Products (Cocoa): Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.
• Other Additives (Mono-Di-Glycerides): 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 Traditional Brandied Dark Fruit Cake'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: Candied Fruit (Pineapple, Cherries, Corn Syrup, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phosphoric Acid Contains Sulfites), Sugar, Honey.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: Bleached (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Calcium Propionate.

Natural sources but industrial application.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Shortening (Containing Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Baking Powder (Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Caramel Color.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.