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Cheddar cheese by By sainsbury's, Sainsbury's
By sainsbury's, Sainsbury's

Cheddar cheese

Barcode 00289658
Scanned  16  times by Nomi users
Ultra-Processed Food (UPF)

Yes — Cheddar cheese is ultra-processed.

Not a great choice for everyday.

This product is ultra-processed because it contains several industrial formulations and additives: chili powder, dextrose, maltodextrin, modified corn starch, yeast extract, sunflower lecithin, xanthan gum, and natural flavorings. These ingredients include refined sugars, flavor enhancers, emulsifiers, modified starch, thickening agents, and added flavorings characteristic of ultra-processed products. The product also contains enriched wheat flour and multiple oils, but the listed UPF ingredients are sufficient for classification.

Ingredients

11 ultra-processed markers
  • OK
    water
    Essential base ingredient for countless foods and beverages; serves as solvent and texture modifier.
  • UPF
    chili powder
    A ground spice mix typically made from dried chili peppers and other spices; can include salt, anticaking agents or additives.
  • OK
    enriched wheat flour
    A basic flour that has been fortified with vitamins and minerals, typically including iron and B vitamins.
  • OK
    malted barley flour
    Flour milled from malted barley, a basic cereal ingredient used in baking and brewing.
  • OK
    niacin (vitamin b3)
    A water-soluble vitamin used as a nutrient and often added to foods as a fortifying vitamin.
  • OK
    reduced iron (ferrous iron)
    A mineral additive used to fortify foods, providing iron without being a stand-alone food.
  • OK
    thiamine mononitrate (vitamin b1)
    A stable form of vitamin B1 used as a nutrient supplement and food additive in fortification and enrichment.
  • OK
    riboflavin
    A water-soluble B vitamin (vitamin B2) used as a nutrient and fortification additive.
  • OK
    folic acid
    A B-vitamin (B9) important for DNA synthesis and red blood cell formation; commonly added to fortified foods and supplements.
  • UPF
    flavor base
    A processed flavoring component used as the starting point for sauces, soups, or seasonings; often contains additional ingredients and flavorings.
  • OK
    salt
    Common mineral compound (sodium chloride) used as a seasoning and preservative across cuisines.
  • UPF
    dextrose
    A simple sugar derived from glucose. Commonly used as a sweetener and source of quick energy in foods.
  • UPF
    maltodextrin
    A white powder made from starch that has been partially hydrolyzed; used as a thickener or filler and widely used as a food additive.
  • UPF
    modified corn starch
    A processed starch produced from corn by modifying its starch molecules for improved stability and texture.
  • OK
    vegetable oil
    A basic culinary oil extracted from various plant sources used for cooking and frying.
  • UPF
    yeast extract
    A flavor-enhancing extract produced from yeast cells, rich in amino acids and natural glutamates, commonly used to augment savory flavors.
  • OK
    onion powder
    Dried and ground onion used as a seasoning to impart onion flavor.
  • OK
    turmeric
    A bright orange-yellow root commonly used as a spice and for its active compound curcumin, with warm, earthy, slightly peppery flavor.
  • UPF
    natural flavorings
    Flavoring agents derived from natural sources, used to impart or modify flavor in foods.
  • OK
    olive oil
    A basic culinary oil pressed from olives, used for cooking, dressing, and flavor.
  • UPF
    cayenne pepper sauce
    A ready-to-use sauce made primarily from cayenne peppers, often containing additional ingredients to add heat and moisture in dishes.
  • OK
    cayenne peppers
    Hot chili peppers used whole or ground to add spice and flavor to dishes.
  • OK
    distilled vinegar
    A clear, acidic condiment produced by fermenting ethanol and purifying the resultant acetic acid; commonly used for pickling, flavoring, and preservation.
  • OK
    corn oil
    A basic vegetable oil pressed from corn kernels used for frying or cooking; a common culinary ingredient.
  • UPF
    corn fiber
    A corn-derived dietary fiber used to increase texture and fiber content in foods; a processed ingredient derived from corn.
  • UPF
    sunflower lecithin
    A phospholipid-rich emulsifier extracted from sunflower seeds, used to improve texture and prevent separation in products.
  • OK
    tocopherol (vitamin e)
    A fat-soluble vitamin used as a nutrient and antioxidant in foods and supplements.
  • OK
    gum
    A sticky carbohydrate network derived from acacia (gum arabic) or other natural resins used as a thickener, stabilizer, or binder in foods. It is typically used in small amounts to improve texture and mouthfeel.
  • OK
    citric acid
    A weak organic acid found in citrus fruits, commonly used as an acidulant and preservative in foods and beverages.
  • UPF
    xanthan gum
    A microbial polysaccharide used as a thickener and stabilizer; widely used food additive.
  • OK
    garlic powder
    Dried, ground garlic used as a convenient, concentrated form of garlic flavoring in cooking.

Swap it for something less processed

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Common questions about Cheddar cheese

Is Cheddar cheese ultra-processed?

Yes — Cheddar cheese by By sainsbury's, Sainsbury's is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). This product is ultra-processed because it contains several industrial formulations and additives: chili powder, dextrose, maltodextrin, modified corn starch, yeast extract, sunflower lecithin, xanthan gum, and natural flavorings. These ingredients include refined sugars, flavor enhancers, emulsifiers, modified starch, thickening agents, and added flavorings characteristic of ultra-processed products. The product also contains enriched wheat flour and multiple oils, but the listed UPF ingredients are sufficient for classification.

Which ingredients in Cheddar cheese are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 11 ingredients in Cheddar cheese as ultra-processed markers: chili powder, flavor base, dextrose, maltodextrin, modified corn starch, yeast extract, natural flavorings, cayenne pepper sauce, corn fiber, sunflower lecithin, xanthan gum. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.

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.

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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.

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