CleanLabel Cart
CleanLabel Cart
May 2025 • 4-min read
Ultra-processed foods make up nearly 60% of the average American's daily calories, yet most people can't identify them on ingredient lists. These industrial formulations are linked to increased risks of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer. Learning to recognize the red flag ingredients helps you make informed choices that support long-term health.
Ultra-processed foods go far beyond simple processing like freezing or canning. They're industrial creations containing ingredients you'd never find in a home kitchen. The NOVA food classification system, developed by researchers at the University of São Paulo, defines ultra-processed foods as formulations made entirely or mostly from industrial ingredients.
These foods are designed to be hyper-palatable, convenient, and shelf-stable, often at the expense of nutritional value. They're engineered to override your natural satiety signals, making it easy to overconsume calories while remaining nutritionally undernourished.
Hydrogenated oils are created by forcing hydrogen gas into liquid vegetable oils under high pressure and temperature. This process creates trans fats, which are so harmful that many countries have banned them entirely. Even "partially hydrogenated" oils contain dangerous trans fats.
Trans fats raise bad cholesterol while lowering good cholesterol, creating a double threat to cardiovascular health. They also promote inflammation throughout the body and have been linked to increased risk of stroke and diabetes.
Spectrum Organic Coconut Oil - A healthy cooking oil alternative with no processing chemicals. Virgin coconut oil provides stable cooking fats without the health risks of hydrogenated oils.
High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a highly processed sweetener that's cheaper than sugar but potentially more harmful. Unlike glucose, which can be used by every cell in your body, fructose must be processed by the liver, potentially leading to fatty liver disease when consumed in excess.
HFCS is sweeter than regular sugar and doesn't trigger the same satiety response, making it easier to overconsume. It's linked to increased belly fat, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. The rapid blood sugar spikes from HFCS can be even more dramatic than those from table sugar.
Artificial food dyes are petroleum-derived chemicals that serve no nutritional purpose. Red 40, the most common artificial color in the US, has been linked to hyperactivity in children and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 may contain carcinogenic contaminants.
The European Union requires warning labels on foods containing artificial colors, stating they "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children." Many manufacturers have reformulated their products for European markets using natural alternatives.
Annie's Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks - Made with real fruit juice and organic ingredients, these snacks use natural colors from fruits and vegetables instead of artificial dyes.
BHT is a petroleum-derived preservative that prevents fats from going rancid. While effective at extending shelf life, it's been banned in several countries due to safety concerns. Studies suggest BHT may disrupt hormones and potentially cause cancer.
This preservative is particularly concerning because it can accumulate in body tissues over time. The European Food Safety Authority has established strict limits on BHT consumption, yet it remains widely used in American processed foods.
Despite its innocent name, "natural flavor" is one of the most deceptive ingredients on food labels. This single term can represent over 100 different chemical compounds, all created in laboratories to mimic natural tastes and smells.
These flavor compounds are often more potent than actual food flavors, potentially rewiring your taste preferences and making whole foods seem bland in comparison. The secrecy around flavor formulations makes it impossible to know what you're consuming.
Larabar Fruit & Nut Bars - These bars contain only whole food ingredients with no artificial flavors or preservatives. Each bar lists exactly what's inside, typically just fruits and nuts.
The danger of ultra-processed foods lies not just in individual ingredients but in their cumulative effect. Regular consumption of these products is associated with increased inflammation, disrupted gut microbiome, and altered metabolism. The combination of multiple artificial additives may have synergistic effects that are poorly understood.
Research consistently shows that people who consume more ultra-processed foods have higher rates of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even depression. The convenience these products offer comes at a significant cost to long-term health.
The good news is that identifying and avoiding ultra-processed foods becomes easier with practice. Focus on foods with short ingredient lists containing recognizable items. When possible, choose whole foods or minimally processed alternatives.
Start by reading ingredient lists rather than relying on front-of-package marketing claims. If a product contains any of these red flag ingredients, consider it a signal to find a healthier alternative. Your taste buds may need time to adjust, but the health benefits are worth the effort.
Kind Bars - These bars prioritize whole nuts and fruits with minimal processing. You can see and identify every ingredient, making them a transparent alternative to conventional energy bars.
CleanLabel Cart automatically identifies these red flag ingredients and downgrades products accordingly, while surfacing cleaner alternatives. By learning to recognize these warning signs yourself, you become an empowered consumer capable of making healthier choices for yourself and your family.