Utz, Hulless Puff'n Corn, Cheese

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Utz, Hulless Puff'n Corn, Cheese scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Modified Fats (Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil): Hydrogenation and modification are UPF markers.
• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5, Yellow 6): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Natural Flavors (Monosodium Glutamate, Natural Flavor (Contains Milk)): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Flavor Enhancers (Disodium Inosinate And Disodium Guanylate): Industrial flavor enhancement common in UPF.

Within Nuts & Seeds, this product is more processed than about 84% of the 20,883 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 Utz, Hulless Puff'n Corn, Cheese'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: Peanut Oil, Palm Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Maltodextrin.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Disodium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Yeast (Yeast Extract And/Or Autolyzed Yeast Extract).

Industrial fermentation for additive production.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Lactic Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.