Chicken Wings, Smokehouse

Why Does This Score Highly Processed?

In our analysis, Chicken Wings, Smokehouse scores Highly Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Modified Starches (Modified Food Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Other Additives (Sodium Phosphates): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Within Frozen Appetizers, this is among the less processed of the 4,714 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 Chicken Wings, Smokehouse'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: Chicken Flavor (Maltodextrin, Salt, Chicken Broth, Flavoring, Onion Powder, Canola Oil, Yeast Extract, Garlic Powder, Spice, Sunflower Oil, Powdered Chicken, Chicken Fat, Smoke Flavor), Natural Hardwood Smoked Sugar, Sugar, Dextrose.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Yeast Extract.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Anti-Caking AgentsProcessing indicator

In this product: Calcium Stearate (To Prevent Caking).

Common in powdered processed foods.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Natural Flavor. Blanched In Vegetable Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.