What Is Ultra-Processed Food?
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrial formulations made mostly from substances derived from foods, plus additives. They're designed for convenience, long shelf life, and hyper-palatability — but often at the cost of nutritional quality.
The NOVA classification system, developed by researchers at the University of São Paulo, categorises foods into four groups based on the extent and purpose of processing:
Group 1: Unprocessed/Minimally Processed
Fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, meat, fish, milk, grains, nuts, legumes
Group 2: Processed Culinary Ingredients
Oils, butter, sugar, salt, flour — used in home cooking
Group 3: Processed Foods
Canned vegetables, cheese, cured meats, fresh bread — simple combinations
Group 4: Ultra-Processed Foods
Industrial formulations with 5+ ingredients, additives, and little whole food content
How to Spot Ultra-Processed Foods
Look at the ingredients list. UPFs typically contain:
- Ingredients you wouldn't use at home: High-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, protein isolates, maltodextrin, modified starches
- Additives for texture and stability: Emulsifiers (E471, E472), stabilisers (E412, E415), thickeners
- Flavour enhancers: Monosodium glutamate (E621), yeast extract, "natural flavourings"
- Colourings: Caramel colour (E150), tartrazine (E102), sunset yellow (E110)
- Preservatives: Sodium benzoate (E211), potassium sorbate (E202), sulphites (E220-228)
- Sweeteners: Aspartame (E951), sucralose (E955), acesulfame K (E950)
Note: Not all additives are inherently harmful, and not all processed foods are problematic. NutraSafe helps you see what's in your food so you can make informed choices based on your own priorities and preferences.
How NutraSafe Helps
Scan Any Barcode
Scan products in the supermarket to instantly see the complete ingredients list. No more squinting at tiny text on packaging.
Identify All Additives
NutraSafe highlights every E-number and additive in a product, with explanations of what each one is and what it's used for.
Compare Products
Scanning multiple products helps you compare options and choose those with fewer ultra-processed ingredients.
Track What You Eat
Log your meals to build awareness of how much of your diet comes from ultra-processed sources versus whole foods.
Common UPF Ingredients to Watch For
Emulsifiers
Used to blend ingredients that don't naturally mix. Common examples: E471 (mono- and diglycerides), E472e (DATEM), E322 (lecithin), E433 (polysorbate 80).
Modified Starches
Chemically altered starches for texture. Look for: modified maize starch, modified tapioca starch, E1404-E1452.
Protein Isolates
Extracted proteins stripped of other nutrients. Common in protein bars, shakes, and processed meat products. Examples: soy protein isolate, whey protein isolate, pea protein isolate.
Flavour Enhancers
Ingredients that make food taste more appealing. Beyond E621 (MSG), watch for: yeast extract, hydrolysed vegetable protein, autolysed yeast, "natural flavourings".
Know What You're Eating
Scan barcodes to see every ingredient and additive. Make informed choices about ultra-processed foods.
Download Free on iOSFrequently Asked Questions
Ultra-processed foods are industrial formulations made mostly from substances derived from foods and additives. They typically contain ingredients you wouldn't find in a home kitchen: emulsifiers, flavour enhancers, colourings, and other additives.
Check the ingredients list. UPFs often contain: ingredients you don't recognise, E-numbers, modified starches, hydrogenated oils, protein isolates, maltodextrin, high-fructose corn syrup, and artificial flavourings or colourings.
NutraSafe shows complete ingredient lists and identifies all additives and E-numbers in products. This helps you make informed decisions about which products contain ultra-processed ingredients.
Not necessarily. Some additives serve important functions (preserving food safety, for example). NutraSafe provides information so you can make your own informed choices based on your priorities.