Yes — Spicy Bean Burger is ultra-processed.
Classified as ultra-processed because the ingredient list includes industrial additives and extracts such as onion extract and garlic extract, which are isolated flavoring agents, as well as white wine vinegar and refined caster sugar used in a composite industrial paste (chipotle paste). These extracted flavorings and refined ingredients indicate an ultra-processed formulation under NOVA.
Similar products that aren't ultra-processed — swap and keep the flavour.
Other meat alternatives Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
Firm tofu
Tofuking, Tofuking (UK) Ltd
Not UPF
Craft Tofu Knots
Tofu Tasty
Not UPF
Organic Protein mice Pea & Fava
Not UPF
Black bean cashew burgers
Biona Organic
Not UPF
Organic original tofu
Clearspot
Not UPF
Organic Tofu, handmade and beechwood-smoked
The Tofoo Co.
Not UPF
Tempeh
The Tofoo Company
Not UPF
Räuchertofu Mandel-Sesam
taifun
Not UPF
Filets de tofu à la japonaise
Taifun
Not UPF
Organic Super Firm Tofu
Plant Menu
Not UPF
Yes — Spicy Bean Burger by Plant Menu,Aldi is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). Classified as ultra-processed because the ingredient list includes industrial additives and extracts such as onion extract and garlic extract, which are isolated flavoring agents, as well as white wine vinegar and refined caster sugar used in a composite industrial paste (chipotle paste). These extracted flavorings and refined ingredients indicate an ultra-processed formulation under NOVA.
Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including Tesco Plant Chef 4 Spicy Bean Burgers by Tesco, Spicy veg bean burgers by Good life. 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.
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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.