Marks and Spencer

Fresh Herb Falafels

Barcode 00352574

Scanned 22 times by Nomi users

Yes — Fresh Herb Falafels is ultra-processed.

Not a great choice for everyday, due to the industrially refined sugar.

This product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains dextrose, an industrially extracted and refined sugar that qualifies as a UPF ingredient under NOVA guidance. The other ingredients are primarily legumes, vegetables, herbs, spices, flours, rapeseed oil, and salt, which do not independently make the product ultra-processed.

Ingredients

1 ultra-processed marker

OK

chickpeas (27%) (water chickpeas)
OK

onions

A bulbous vegetable used as a staple aromatic and flavoring in many cuisines.
OK

broad beans (19%)
OK

rapeseed oil

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

chickpea flour

Fine flour milled from chickpeas (garbanzo beans); a common gluten-free ingredient used in batters, coatings, and baking.
OK

rice flour

A finely milled flour from milled rice, commonly used as a gluten-free thickener or flour substitute in baking and cooking.
OK

coriander (cilantro seeds)

Dried seeds of the coriander plant (Coriandrum sativum). Warm, citrusy flavor used ground or as whole seeds in spice blends and curries.
OK

parsley

A fresh green herb used to flavor and garnish dishes; commonly added chopped leaves.
OK

garlic purée

Pureed garlic, often used as a flavoring base.
OK

ground spices (cumin, coriander, black pepper, ginger, cayenne pepper)
OK

salt

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

lemon zest

Fresh citrus peel grated or shredded to add aroma and brightness; contains essential oils and zest oils.
OK

green chilli purée
OK

cornflour

Ground corn starch used as a thickening agent in cooking and baking.
UPF

dextrose

A simple sugar derived from glucose. Commonly used as a sweetener and source of quick energy in foods.

Swap it for something less processed

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Other meat alternatives Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.

Common questions about Fresh Herb Falafels

Is Fresh Herb Falafels ultra-processed?

Yes — Fresh Herb Falafels by Marks and Spencer is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). This product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains dextrose, an industrially extracted and refined sugar that qualifies as a UPF ingredient under NOVA guidance. The other ingredients are primarily legumes, vegetables, herbs, spices, flours, rapeseed oil, and salt, which do not independently make the product ultra-processed.

Which ingredients in Fresh Herb Falafels are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags one ingredient in Fresh Herb Falafels as an ultra-processed marker: dextrose. 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.

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.