Yes — Coconut Milk is ultra-processed.
The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains several cosmetic/technological additives beyond basic ingredients: guar gum (a stabiliser), E466 (carboxymethyl cellulose, a synthetic thickener), E435 (an emulsifier, polysorbate 60), and E223 (sodium metabisulphite, a preservative). These industrial additives place it in the NOVA ultra-processed category, even though the base ingredients (coconut extract, water, citric acid) are not UPF on their own.
Other cupboard staples Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
Beef Bone Broth
freja
Not UPF
So Organic Butter Beans
So Organic,Sainsburys
Not UPF
Cannellini beans in water
Waitrose
Not UPF
Lentils in water
Essential Waitrose
Not UPF
Black eyed beans in water
Sainsburys
Not UPF
sainsburys haricot beans in water
Sainsburys
Not UPF
Mixed beans
M&S Food
Not UPF
Red Kidney Beans
Marks & Spencer
Not UPF
Double Stuffed Halkidiki Olives
Sainsbury's
Not UPF
Organic White Beans
Bold Bean Co
Not UPF
Yes — Coconut Milk by Marks & Spencer is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains several cosmetic/technological additives beyond basic ingredients: guar gum (a stabiliser), E466 (carboxymethyl cellulose, a synthetic thickener), E435 (an emulsifier, polysorbate 60), and E223 (sodium metabisulphite, a preservative). These industrial additives place it in the NOVA ultra-processed category, even though the base ingredients (coconut extract, water, citric acid) are not UPF on their own.
Nomi flags 2 ingredients in Coconut Milk as ultra-processed markers: coconut extract, guar gum (stabiliser). See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.
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.
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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.