Ranch Dressing

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Ranch Dressing 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.
• Modified Starches (Modified Food Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Chemical Preservatives (Potassium Sorbate And Sodium Benzoate (As Preservatives)): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Xanthan Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Natural Flavors (Monosodium Glutamate, Natural Flavor): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Within Dressings & Mayo, this product is more processed than about 71% of the 5,534 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 Ranch Dressing'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.

Flavor EnhancersUPF marker

In this product: Disodium Inosinate And Disodium Guanylate.

Industrial flavor enhancement common in UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Oil (Soybean And/Or Canola).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Phosphoric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Disodium Phosphate, Calcium Disodium Edta To Protect Flavor.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.