Valu Time, Animal Crackers

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Valu Time, Animal Crackers scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (High Fructose Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Emulsifiers (Soy Lecithin): 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 Valu Time, Animal Crackers' ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Folic Acid).

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Sunflower And/Or Canola Oil (Contains Ascorbic Acid And Rosemary Extract For Freshness).

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: Leavening (Baking Soda, Ammonium Bicarbonate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Metabisulfite (Dough Conditioner).

Natural sources but industrial application.