Yellow Cake with Buttercreme Icing

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Yellow Cake with Buttercreme Icing scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup. Contains 2% Or Less Of Each Of The Following: Sprinkles (Sugar, Rice Flour, Vegetable Oil [Palm Kernel Oil, Palm Oil], Cornstarch, Acacia Gum, Cellulose Gum, Confectioner'S Glaze, Carrageenan Gum, Soy Lecithin, Yellow 6, Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2, Blue 2 Lake, Artificial Flavor), High Fructose Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Artificial Colors (Red 3, Yellow 6, Yellow 5): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Chemical Preservatives (Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Emulsifiers (Soy Lecithin, Polysorbate 60): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Guar Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

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 Yellow Cake with Buttercreme Icing'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.

Other AdditivesUPF marker

In this product: Propylene Glycol.

Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Cake Base (Nonfat Dry Milk, Whey, Modified Food Starch [Corn], Salt, Sugar, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Soybean Oil, Egg Whites, Sodium Bicarbonate, Cellulose Gum, Artificial Flavor, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Monocalcium Phosphate).

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Shortening (Palm Oil, Canola Oil, Mono-And Diglycerides), Soybean Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: Emulsifier (Water, Sorbitan Monostearate, Polysorbate 60, Monoglycerides, Preservative [Phosphoric Acid, Sodium Propionate]).

Natural sources but industrial application.

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.