Sainsbury's

Hot cross buns

Barcode 01381184

Scanned 22 times by Nomi users

Yes — Hot cross buns is ultra-processed.

Classified as ultra-processed because the ingredient list includes several industrial additives and refined ingredients such as invert sugar syrup (an industrially processed inverted sugar), emulsifiers (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids; mono- and diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids), palm oil in the emulsifier system, maize starch used as a refined isolated starch, and added flavouring. These go beyond basic culinary ingredients and indicate industrial formulation according to NOVA criteria.

Ingredients

2 ultra-processed markers

OK

fortified british wheat flour

A basic wheat flour product that has been enriched with added vitamins and minerals (calcium, iron, niacin, and thiamin) to improve its nutritional value; used as a staple baking ingredient.
OK

moistened mixed fruit (29%) (sultañas, raisins, water)
OK

water

Essential base ingredient for countless foods and beverages; serves as solvent and texture modifier.
OK

yeast

A living microorganism used as a leavening agent in baking.
OK

rapeseed oil

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

orange and lemon peel (2%)
OK

sugar

Granulated sugar derived from sugarcane or sugar beets; a basic, single-ingredient sweetener.
UPF

invert sugar syrup

A refined sugar syrup produced by hydrolyzing sucrose into glucose and fructose; a processed sweetener often used in foods.
OK

wheat gluten

Gluten from wheat; a protein complex used as a food ingredient to provide elasticity and structure in doughs and meat substitutes (e.g., seitan).
OK

maize starch

Fine white powder obtained from corn; used as a thickener in sauces and soups.
OK

emulsifiers: mono-and diglycerides of fatty acids
OK

mono - and diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono-and diglycerides of fatty acids: palm oil
OK

salt

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

ground mixed spice (cinnamon, coriander, clove, nutmeg)
UPF

flavouring

A generic additive used to impart or enhance flavor; can be synthetic or derived from natural sources.
OK

soy flour

A basic single-ingredient flour made from soybeans, used as a gluten-free flour option with high protein content.
OK

ascorbic acid (vitamin c) used as flour treatment agent

Ascorbic acid added to flour as a processing agent to improve dough strength and flour performance; commonly used as a bakery additive.

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Common questions about Hot cross buns

Is Hot cross buns ultra-processed?

Yes — Hot cross buns by Sainsbury's is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). Classified as ultra-processed because the ingredient list includes several industrial additives and refined ingredients such as invert sugar syrup (an industrially processed inverted sugar), emulsifiers (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids; mono- and diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids), palm oil in the emulsifier system, maize starch used as a refined isolated starch, and added flavouring. These go beyond basic culinary ingredients and indicate industrial formulation according to NOVA criteria.

Which ingredients in Hot cross buns are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 2 ingredients in Hot cross buns as ultra-processed markers: invert sugar syrup, flavouring. 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.