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Yes — Wholemeal bread is ultra-processed.
The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains several industrial additives and ingredients characteristic of NOVA ultra-processed foods. These include: an emulsifier (mono- and diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids), a preservative (calcium propionate), and palm oil, all of which are explicitly considered UPF ingredients. The rest of the ingredients (wholemeal flour, water, yeast, rapeseed oil, salt, vinegar, soya flour, caramelised sugar, ascorbic acid) are not ultra-processed on their own, but the presence of the listed additives makes the overall product UPF according to the given criteria.
Other breads & wraps Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
Sainsbury's San Francisco Style Sourdough
Sainsbury's
Not UPF
Spelt Sourdough Bread
Waitrose
Not UPF
Sensational Soya & Linseed Bread
Vogel’s
Not UPF
Rye Seed Bread
Schneider Brot
Not UPF
In Store Baked Sourdough Bloomer
Tesco
Not UPF
6 PETIT PAINS
TESCO
Not UPF
White sourdough
Asda
Not UPF
Sunflower and spelt loaf
M&S
Not UPF
White Sourdough Bloomer
Sainsburys
Not UPF
Kalamata Olive Bloomer
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference
Not UPF
Yes — Wholemeal bread by Sainsbury's is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains several industrial additives and ingredients characteristic of NOVA ultra-processed foods. These include: an emulsifier (mono- and diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids), a preservative (calcium propionate), and palm oil, all of which are explicitly considered UPF ingredients. The rest of the ingredients (wholemeal flour, water, yeast, rapeseed oil, salt, vinegar, soya flour, caramelised sugar, ascorbic acid) are not ultra-processed on their own, but the presence of the listed additives makes the overall product UPF according to the given criteria.
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.
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.
This page was shared from Nomi, the free app that tells you instantly whether any food is ultra-processed.
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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.