Very Vanilla Jumbo Cupcake

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Very Vanilla Jumbo Cupcake scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Modified Starches (Modified Cornstarch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Chemical Preservatives (Potassium Sorbate): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Emulsifiers (Mono- And Diglycerides): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.
• Other Additives (Emulsifier (Propylene Glycol Mono- And Diesters Of Fats And Fatty Acids, Mono- And Diglycerides, Soybean Lecithin, Citric Acid [Preservative]), Carnauba Wax, Shellac): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Within Cakes & Pastries, this product is more processed than about 16% of the 11,919 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 Very Vanilla Jumbo Cupcake'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.

Natural FlavorsUPF marker

In this product: Natural Flavor. Filling: Water, Natural Flavor.

Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Processed Fruit ProductsUPF marker

In this product: Cocoa Powder (Processed With Alkali), Chocolate Liquor.

Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.

Stabilizers & GumsUPF marker

In this product: Agar-Agar. Icing: Icing Sugar (Sugar, Cornstarch).

Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Cupcake: Sugar, Sugar, Salt. Topping: Sugar, Dextrose.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean And/Or Canola Oil, Vegetable Oil Shortening (Canola Oil, Palm Oil, Fractionated Palm Oil, Fractionated Palm Kernel Oil, Monoglycerides, Polysorbate 60).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Leavening Blend (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Cornstarch, Monocalcium Phosphate, Calcium Sulfate).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Color (Caramel, Titanium Dioxide), Color (Titanium Dioxide, Fd&C Yellow 5, Fd&C Yellow 5 Lake, Fd&C Yellow 6 Lake, Fd&C Red 3, Fd&C Red 40 Lake, Fd&C Blue 1 Lake, Fd&C Blue 1, Fd&C Blue 2 Lake).

Natural sources but still indicate processing.