Marks & Spencer

Pesto mozzarella

Barcode 00026970

Scanned 14 times by Nomi users

No — Pesto mozzarella is not ultra-processed.

This is not ultra-processed. It consists of mozzarella and pecorino cheeses, rapeseed oil, basil, spinach, pine kernels, garlic purée, lemon juice, salt, and citric acid. These are conventional culinary ingredients, and citric acid is a basic food acidulant rather than an ultra-processing marker. No artificial sweeteners, flavorings, emulsifiers, stabilizers, refined industrial syrups, or other ultra-processed additives are present.

Ingredients

No ultra-processed markers

OK

mozzarella cheese (bocconcini)

A soft, fresh Italian cheese made from cow's milk, commonly formed into small balls (bocconcini) and used on salads, antipasti, and pizza.
OK

rapeseed oil

A basic culinary oil pressed from rapeseeds (Brassica napus). Used for frying, baking, and dressings. Neutral flavor.
OK

pecorino cheese

A hard Italian cheese made from sheep's milk, with a salty, tangy flavor, often aged and grated over pasta or used in dishes.
OK

basil

A fragrant herb used fresh or dried to flavor a variety of dishes, notably Italian cuisine and salads.
OK

spinach

Leafy green vegetable commonly used as a fresh or cooked ingredient.
OK

lemon juice concentrate

Lemon juice that has been concentrated by removing water; used as a souring agent or flavoring in foods.
OK

pine nuts

Pine nuts are edible seeds of pine trees, commonly used as a cooking ingredient in dishes like pesto, salads, and baked goods. They have a rich, buttery flavor and a delicate crunch.
OK

roasted garlic purée

Smooth purée made from garlic that has been roasted; used to impart mellow garlic flavor in sauces, dressings, and dishes.
OK

salt

Common mineral compound (sodium chloride) used as a seasoning and preservative across cuisines.
OK

citric acid

A weak organic acid found in citrus fruits, commonly used as an acidulant and preservative in foods and beverages.

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Common questions about Pesto mozzarella

Is Pesto mozzarella ultra-processed?

No — Pesto mozzarella by Marks & Spencer is not ultra-processed, so it is not a UPF (ultra-processed food). This is not ultra-processed. It consists of mozzarella and pecorino cheeses, rapeseed oil, basil, spinach, pine kernels, garlic purée, lemon juice, salt, and citric acid. These are conventional culinary ingredients, and citric acid is a basic food acidulant rather than an ultra-processing marker. No artificial sweeteners, flavorings, emulsifiers, stabilizers, refined industrial syrups, or other ultra-processed additives are present.

What does "ultra-processed" (UPF) mean?

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrial formulations made with ingredients and additives you wouldn't find in a home kitchen — such as emulsifiers, artificial flavourings, colourings and modified starches. The classification is based on the NOVA system used by researchers and dietitians worldwide.

How can I check whether other foods are ultra-processed?

Scan any barcode — or photograph the ingredients label — with the free Nomi app for iOS and Android. You'll get an instant ultra-processed verdict with every ingredient explained in plain English.

Product information comes from public databases and Nomi's own analysis, and may contain errors. Always check the packaging. Ultra-processed classification is based on the NOVA food processing system.