Aldi

Meatballs

Barcode 4088600158129

Scanned 17 times by Nomi users

Yes — Meatballs is ultra-processed.

The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains dextrose, which is an industrially refined sugar and explicitly considered a UPF ingredient under NOVA. Other ingredients are mostly basic culinary items and extracts, but the presence of dextrose alone is sufficient to make the overall product UPF.

Ingredients

2 ultra-processed markers

OK

pork (81%)
OK

onion (6%)

Onion as a vegetable ingredient, often used for flavor; the percentage indicates its share in a blend.
OK

pasteurised _egg_ white
OK

breadcrumbs (5%) (_wheat_ flour, water, salt, yeast)
OK

mustard (water, _mustard_ seed, white wine vinegar, salt, spice extracts)
OK

salt

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

pepper

Ground pepper or whole peppercorns, a common spice used to season foods.
UPF

dextrose

A simple sugar derived from glucose. Commonly used as a sweetener and source of quick energy in foods.
OK

coriander (cilantro seeds)

Dried seeds of the coriander plant (Coriandrum sativum). Warm, citrusy flavor used ground or as whole seeds in spice blends and curries.
OK

garlic

A bulbous aromatic spice used to impart savory flavor in cooking; can be used fresh, sautéed, roasted, or in powder form.
OK

rapeseed oil

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

nutmeg

A fragrant spice ground from the seeds of the Myristica fragrans tree, used to flavor sweet and savory dishes in small amounts.
OK

parsley

A fresh green herb used to flavor and garnish dishes; commonly added chopped leaves.
OK

ginger

A pungent, aromatic rhizome used fresh or dried in cooking and beverages.
OK

citrus extract
OK

ginger extract
UPF

nutmeg extract

Concentrated essence extracted from nutmeg; used for its aromatic flavor.
OK

pepper extract

A flavoring extract derived from black pepper, used to impart pepper flavor in foods.
OK

coriander extract

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Common questions about Meatballs

Is Meatballs ultra-processed?

Yes — Meatballs by Aldi is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains dextrose, which is an industrially refined sugar and explicitly considered a UPF ingredient under NOVA. Other ingredients are mostly basic culinary items and extracts, but the presence of dextrose alone is sufficient to make the overall product UPF.

Which ingredients in Meatballs are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 2 ingredients in Meatballs as ultra-processed markers: dextrose, nutmeg 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.