Marks & Spencer

Popcorn chicken bites

Barcode 29250646

Scanned 10 times by Nomi users

Yes — Popcorn chicken bites is ultra-processed.

The product is ultra-processed because it contains barley malt extract and yeast extract, which are industrially processed flavor enhancers/extracts used as additives in the NOVA system.

Ingredients

1 ultra-processed marker

OK

water

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

coconut milk (13%) (coconut, water)
OK

apples

A fresh, whole fruit commonly eaten raw. Not an ultra-processed ingredient; used as a basic food ingredient or natural product.
OK

onions

A bulbous vegetable used as a staple aromatic and flavoring in many cuisines.
OK

soy sauce (water, sugar, salt, soybeans)
UPF

barley malt extract

A malt extract derived from barley; gluten-containing ingredient used for sweetness and color in foods.
OK

vinegar

A sour-tasting liquid produced by fermentation, widely used as a condiment and preservative.
OK

wheat flour (contains gluten)

Ground wheat flour; contains gluten. Includes added minerals/vitamins as part of enrichment.
OK

sugar

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

white miso (water, soybeans, rice, salt)
OK

ginger purée

A smooth paste made from ginger, used to impart ginger flavor in sauces and dishes.
OK

rapeseed oil

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

carrots

Root vegetable with orange, sweet-tles; commonly eaten raw, roasted, or added to soups and stews.
OK

ground spices (2%) (coriander, cumin, turmeric, fenugreek, black pepper, cardamom, star anise, cloves)
OK

garlic purée

Pureed garlic, often used as a flavoring base.
OK

vegetable stock (water, onions, carrots, leeks, yeast extract, kelp, shiitake mushrooms, salt, lemon juice, bay leaves, ground white pepper, thyme)
OK

cornflour

Ground corn starch used as a thickening agent in cooking and baking.
OK

salt

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

dried onions

Dehydrated onion flakes or powder used to impart onion flavour; essentially a preserved form of a basic vegetable.
OK

dried garlic

Dehydrated garlic cloves ground or whole, used as a pungent seasoning with long shelf life.

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Other meat alternatives Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.

Common questions about Popcorn chicken bites

Is Popcorn chicken bites ultra-processed?

Yes — Popcorn chicken bites by Marks & Spencer is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is ultra-processed because it contains barley malt extract and yeast extract, which are industrially processed flavor enhancers/extracts used as additives in the NOVA system.

Which ingredients in Popcorn chicken bites are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags one ingredient in Popcorn chicken bites as an ultra-processed marker: barley malt 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.

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.