Yes — Pure Butter Shortbread is ultra-processed.
Not a great choice for everyday.
This product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains xanthan gum, an industrial stabilizer, and soy lecithin, an industrial emulsifier. It also contains natural vanilla flavoring, an extracted flavoring additive. These additives indicate an industrial formulation under the specified NOVA criteria. The remaining ingredients—flour, butter, sugar, chocolate, cocoa butter, and salt—would not independently make it ultra-processed.
Other crisps, snacks & nuts Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
Shortbread all butter petticoat tails
Sainsbury's
Not UPF
Shortbread Fingers
Walkers Shortbread Ltd.
Not UPF
All Butter Cinnamon Knots
Waitrose & Partners
Not UPF
All Butter Shortbread
Morrisons
Not UPF
Pure Butter Shortbread
Walkers
Not UPF
Butter Biscuits
Not UPF
All butter sweethearts
Chloe’s
Not UPF
Costa Mini All Butter Shortbreads
Costa
Not UPF
Vegan coconut crunch
Rhythm 108
Not UPF
shortbread
Sainsbury
Not UPF
Yes — Pure Butter Shortbread by Walker’s Shortbread Ltd is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). This product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains xanthan gum, an industrial stabilizer, and soy lecithin, an industrial emulsifier. It also contains natural vanilla flavoring, an extracted flavoring additive. These additives indicate an industrial formulation under the specified NOVA criteria. The remaining ingredients—flour, butter, sugar, chocolate, cocoa butter, and salt—would not independently make it ultra-processed.
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.