Wilton, Candy Melts, Pre-Baked Cookie Kit

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Wilton, Candy Melts, Pre-Baked Cookie Kit scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Artificial Colors (Red 30, Red 40): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Emulsifiers (Soy Lecithin): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Gum Arabic): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Other Additives (Carnauba Wax): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

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 Wilton, Candy Melts, Pre-Baked Cookie Kit'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.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Invert Sugar Syrup, Artificial Flavor. Candy Cane Candy Melts Candy: Sugar, Red 40. Jumbo Red Nonparells: Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Shortening (Hydrogenated Soybean And Cottonseed Oil), Vegetable Oil (Palm Kernel And Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil), Peppermint Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Food Bases & AlkalisProcessing indicator

In this product: Leavening (Baking Soda).

Common in baking, excessive use indicates processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.