Zatarain's, Rice Pilaf Side Dish

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Zatarain's, Rice Pilaf Side Dish scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup Solids): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Natural Flavors (Monosodium Glutamate, Disodium Inosinate & Guanylate (Flavor Enhancers), Natural Flavor): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Within Boxed Dinners & Sides, this product is more processed than about 53% of the 4,145 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 Zatarain's, Rice Pilaf Side Dish'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 PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: Orzo Pasta (Enriched Wheat Flour {Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid}, Wheat Bran, Tomato).

Natural sources but industrial application.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator

In this product: Yeast Extract.

Industrial fermentation for additive production.