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Minestrone soup by By sainsbury's
By sainsbury's

Minestrone soup

Barcode 01845051
Scanned  5  times by Nomi users
Ultra-Processed Food (UPF)

Yes — Minestrone soup is ultra-processed.

The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains several UPF ingredients/additives, including modified maize starch (a chemically modified industrial thickener), flavouring (non-specific industrial flavor formulation), and yeast extract (an industrial flavor enhancer). These ingredients go beyond basic culinary processing and place the soup in the ultra-processed category according to NOVA.

Ingredients

4 ultra-processed markers
  • OK
    tomato
    A round, red fruit commonly used as a vegetable in cooking. Mostly water with sugars, fiber, and micronutrients like vitamin C and potassium.
  • OK
    water
    Essential base ingredient for countless foods and beverages; serves as solvent and texture modifier.
  • OK
    noodles
  • OK
    durum wheat
  • OK
    semolina
  • OK
    egg white
    Proteine-rich clear part of an egg, separated from the yolk. Commonly used as a low-fat protein source in cooking and baking.
  • OK
    carrot
    A root vegetable used widely in cooking for sweetness, texture, and color.
  • OK
    onion
    A common bulb vegetable used as a base flavor in many cuisines. Crisp, pungent, sweet when cooked.
  • OK
    peas
    Small, round, green legumes typically used as a vegetable.
  • OK
    yellow split peas
    A dried legume used to make soups and stews; creamy texture when cooked.
  • OK
    swede
    A root vegetable also known as rutabaga; a starchy, mildly sweet vegetable used in soups, stews, and roasts.
  • OK
    celery
    A crunchy, fibrous stalk vegetable commonly used fresh in salads, soups, and as a garnish. Rich in water and nutrients like vitamin K and folate.
  • OK
    haricot beans
    Small white beans widely used in French and European cuisine; a staple legume used in soups, stews, and salads.
  • OK
    potato
    A starchy tuber, a common staple food used as a vegetable. Can be prepared in many ways (boiled, fried, baked).
  • OK
    cabbage
    A fresh cruciferous vegetable, typically used raw in salads or cooked as a side dish; nutrient-rich and minimally processed.
  • OK
    leek
    A mild, elongated green vegetable with a white base used in many dishes.
  • OK
    red pepper (bell pepper)
    A sweet, crisp red bell pepper pick or fresh pepper used for color, flavor, and nutrition; typically eaten raw or cooked.
  • OK
    maize starch
    Fine white powder obtained from corn; used as a thickener in sauces and soups.
  • UPF
    modified maize starch
    A processed starch, often used as a thickener or binding agent in foods; may be treated to modify properties.
  • OK
    salt
    Common mineral compound (sodium chloride) used as a seasoning and preservative across cuisines.
  • OK
    sugar
    Granulated sugar derived from sugarcane or sugar beets; a basic, single-ingredient sweetener.
  • OK
    rapeseed oil
    A basic culinary oil pressed from rapeseeds (Brassica napus). Used for frying, baking, and dressings. Neutral flavor.
  • UPF
    flavouring
    A generic additive used to impart or enhance flavor; can be synthetic or derived from natural sources.
  • OK
    potato starch
    A basic, finely ground starch derived from potatoes; used as a thickener and binder in foods.
  • 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
    basil
    A leafy herb used fresh or dried to flavor dishes; not typically processed as a food ingredient beyond drying or freshness.
  • OK
    oregano
    A dried aromatic herb used as a spice in cooking, with a warm, slightly bitter flavor.
  • OK
    leek powder
    Powder made from dried leek (Allium ampeloprasum), used as a spice or seasoning to add leek flavor.
  • OK
    garlic powder
    Dried, ground garlic used as a convenient, concentrated form of garlic flavoring in cooking.
  • OK
    black pepper
    A common spice made from dried peppercorns of the Piper nigrum plant, used to add pungent heat and aroma to dishes.
  • OK
    oregano extract
  • UPF
    basil extract
    An extract derived from basil leaves, used as a flavoring or aroma enhancer; it is produced through processing and concentration.

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Common questions about Minestrone soup

Is Minestrone soup ultra-processed?

Yes — Minestrone soup by 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 UPF ingredients/additives, including modified maize starch (a chemically modified industrial thickener), flavouring (non-specific industrial flavor formulation), and yeast extract (an industrial flavor enhancer). These ingredients go beyond basic culinary processing and place the soup in the ultra-processed category according to NOVA.

Which ingredients in Minestrone soup are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 4 ingredients in Minestrone soup as ultra-processed markers: modified maize starch, flavouring, yeast extract, basil extract. 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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