Tower Gate

Oaties

Barcode 20319618

Scanned 34 times by Nomi users

Yes — Oaties is ultra-processed.

The product contains palm oil and invert sugar syrup. Palm oil is treated as a highly processed refined oil, and invert sugar syrup is an industrially processed sugar syrup; either is sufficient to classify the product as ultra-processed (UPF) under NOVA.

Ingredients

3 ultra-processed markers

OK

42% oat flakes
OK

wholemeal wheat flour

A coarse, whole-grain flour ground from the entire wheat kernel, used as a basic baking ingredient.
UPF

palm oil

A widely used edible oil pressed from the fruit of oil palms; a basic culinary oil but highly processed in many commercial products.
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

salt

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

sodium carbonates raising agents

Leavening agents containing sodium carbonate (soda ash) used to produce carbon dioxide for doughs and batters.
OK

ammonium carbonate

A leavening agent historically used in baked goods; releases ammonia and carbon dioxide when heated, producing a light texture.

Healthier alternatives

Reviewed by Nomi

Similar products that aren't ultra-processed — swap and keep the flavour.

Swap it for something less processed

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Common questions about Oaties

Is Oaties ultra-processed?

Yes — Oaties by Tower Gate is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product contains palm oil and invert sugar syrup. Palm oil is treated as a highly processed refined oil, and invert sugar syrup is an industrially processed sugar syrup; either is sufficient to classify the product as ultra-processed (UPF) under NOVA.

Which ingredients in Oaties are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 3 ingredients in Oaties as ultra-processed markers: palm oil, invert sugar syrup, sodium carbonates raising agents. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.

What are healthier alternatives to Oaties?

Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including Oat Shortbread by walkers, Oat Crumbles by Island Bakery. See the healthier alternatives above for details.

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.