Ore-Ida Classic Steak Fries — ENGINEERED

Munch or Dump rates Ore-Ida Classic Steak Fries by Ore-Ida ENGINEERED — score 30/90.

What looks like just potatoes is potatoes fried in refined soybean/cottonseed oil, dusted with added sugar (dextrose), and tinted with annatto color plus a sodium stabilizer to keep them looking fresh. Refined oil + added sugar + cosmetic color on a NOVA 4 product.

Why this verdict

• Refined soybean/cottonseed oil blend, high in inflammatory omega-6 fats
• Dextrose (added sugar) coats the fries to fry darker and crispier
• Annatto color added purely for cosmetic appearance
• Sodium acid pyrophosphate is a manufacturing additive to mask greying
• Classified NOVA 4 ultra-processed despite the short list

Ingredients (6)

• potatoes (safe) — Whole-food starch and the traditional body of chowder.
• Vegetable oil blend (soybean and cottonseed) (concerning) — Refined seed oils high in omega-6; the frying medium drives most of the fat and calories.
• Salt (moderate) — Added sodium for flavour.
• annatto color (safe) — Natural-derived color used to make fake fruit look ripe.
• Dextrose (concerning) — A second added sugar (pure glucose) that hits the bloodstream even faster than sucrose.
• Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate (moderate) — Industrial leavening/texturizing additive.