Ultimate Cheddar Flavored Tortilla Chips, Ultimate Cheddar

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Ultimate Cheddar Flavored Tortilla Chips, Ultimate Cheddar scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Modified Starches (Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Artificial Colors (Yellow 6, Red 40 Lake, Yellow 5): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Natural Flavors (Monosodium Glutamate): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Other Additives (Sodium Diacetate): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Within Chips & Crisps, this product is more processed than about 85% of the 10,682 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 Ultimate Cheddar Flavored Tortilla Chips, Ultimate Cheddar'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.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Oil (Sunflower, Corn, And/Or Canola Oil).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Maltodextrin (Made From Corn), Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Tocopherols.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.