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Yes — Digestives is ultra-processed.
The product is classified as ultra-processed (UPF). The ingredient list is valid, and it contains industrial ingredients/additives that fall under NOVA ultra-processed criteria, specifically palm oil and inverted sugar syrup, both of which are pre-identified UPF ingredients. Inverted sugar syrup is an industrially processed sugar, and palm oil is a highly refined oil. These ingredients make the overall product UPF, even though it also contains basic ingredients like wheat flour, sugar, wholemeal wheat flour, salt, and standard leavening agents (sodium carbonates, ammonium carbonates, citric acid).
Similar products that aren't ultra-processed — swap and keep the flavour.
Other biscuits & cookies Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
All butter shortbread biscuits
Morrisons
Not UPF
mini Coconut Rolls
Kiddylicious
Not UPF
Sainsbury's "Taste the Difference" Demerara Shortbread Rounds
Sainsbury's, Taste the difference
Not UPF
Cranberry Seed Cookies
Artisan Biscuits
Not UPF
Sunblush tomato & cheddar mini muffins
Higgidy
Not UPF
Taste the Difference 4 All Butter Sultana Scones
Sainsbury's,Taste the difference
Not UPF
Duchy Organic Stem Ginger All Butter Shortbread
Waitrose,Waitrose & Partners Duchy Organic
Not UPF
Taste the Difference All Butter Highland Shortbread Fingers
Sainsbury's
Not UPF
All butter choc chip shortbread
Sainsburys
Not UPF
Yes — Digestives by Belmont Biscuits is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is classified as ultra-processed (UPF). The ingredient list is valid, and it contains industrial ingredients/additives that fall under NOVA ultra-processed criteria, specifically palm oil and inverted sugar syrup, both of which are pre-identified UPF ingredients. Inverted sugar syrup is an industrially processed sugar, and palm oil is a highly refined oil. These ingredients make the overall product UPF, even though it also contains basic ingredients like wheat flour, sugar, wholemeal wheat flour, salt, and standard leavening agents (sodium carbonates, ammonium carbonates, citric acid).
Nomi flags 2 ingredients in Digestives as ultra-processed markers: palm oil, inverted sugar syrup. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.
Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including Shortbread Fingers by Walker’s, All butter shortbread fingers by Tesco, Shortbread All Butter Fingers by Sainsbury's. See the healthier alternatives above for details.
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.
This page was shared from Nomi, the free app that tells you instantly whether any food is ultra-processed.
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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.