Quaker

porridge to go

Barcode 5000108033226

Yes — porridge to go is ultra-processed.

This product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains several industrial ingredients and additives. These include: oligofructose (an isolated fibre), barley malt extract (an industrial flavouring extract), golden syrup (used here in an industrial context), modified starch, fructose glucose syrup and glucose syrup (industrially refined sugar syrups), RSPO palm fat/oil (highly refined palm oil), gelling agent pectin, flavourings and natural flavouring with other natural flavourings, and emulsifier soy lecithin. Under the NOVA system, the presence of these additives and industrial ingredients makes the overall product ultra-processed, even though it also contains wholegrain oats and other minimally processed components.

Ingredients

5 ultra-processed markers

OK

wholegrain rolled oat flakes (34%)
OK

wholegrain oat flour (16%)
UPF

oligofructose

A short-chain fructooligosaccharide used as a sweetener or fiber additive; an isolated carbohydrate produced industrially.
OK

sunflower oil

A neutral-tasting culinary oil pressed from sunflower seeds, rich in unsaturated fats and commonly used for frying and dressings.
OK

cereal crisps (rice flour, oat flour, sugar, calcium carbonate, barley malt extract)
UPF

golden syrup

A traditional light amber syrup made from hydrolyzed starch, used as a sweetener.
OK

glycerol (humectant)

Glycerol (glycerine) used as a humectant to retain moisture in foods; a simple, mono- and polyalcohol.
OK

brown sugar

Unrefined or partially refined sugar with molasses giving a brown color and distinctive flavor; a basic sweetener.
UPF

modified starch

Starch that has been chemically or physically modified to alter its thickening, texture, or stability properties; commonly used as a thickener or stabilizer in processed foods.
OK

strawberry pieces (1.8%) (strawberry puree, fructose glucose syrup, glucose syrup, sugar, wheat fibre, rspo palm fat)
OK

rice starch

Starch derived from rice used as a thickener or anti-caking agent in foods.
UPF

pectin

Natural polysaccharide extracted from plant cell walls used as a gelling agent in jams, jellies, and confectionery.
OK

acidity regulators (malic acid, citric acid)
OK

carrot and pumpkin concentrates
UPF

flavourings

Flavourings are additives that are used to enhance or impart flavor to food products. They are considered ultra-processed as they are synthetic or natural substances that are typically extracted, isolated, or synthesized for their flavor properties.
OK

cranberry pieces (1.8%) (cranberries, pineapple syrup and juice concentrate, rice flour)
OK

almond flour
OK

Skimmed Milk Powder

Skimmed milk powder is made by removing water from pasteurized skim milk.
OK

salt

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

emulsiher (soy lecithin)
OK

antioxidant (tocopherol rich extract)
OK

sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)

A leavening agent that releases carbon dioxide when reacting with an acid in baking; commonly used in doughs and baked goods.
OK

calcium carbonate

A basic inorganic calcium salt used as a nutrition supplement and anticaking agent in foods.
OK

natural berry flavouring with other natural flavourings. allergy advice: for allergens
OK

see ingredients in bold. may contain other nuts and peanut

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Common questions about porridge to go

Is porridge to go ultra-processed?

Yes — porridge to go by Quaker is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). This product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains several industrial ingredients and additives. These include: oligofructose (an isolated fibre), barley malt extract (an industrial flavouring extract), golden syrup (used here in an industrial context), modified starch, fructose glucose syrup and glucose syrup (industrially refined sugar syrups), RSPO palm fat/oil (highly refined palm oil), gelling agent pectin, flavourings and natural flavouring with other natural flavourings, and emulsifier soy lecithin. Under the NOVA system, the presence of these additives and industrial ingredients makes the overall product ultra-processed, even though it also contains wholegrain oats and other minimally processed components.

Which ingredients in porridge to go are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 5 ingredients in porridge to go as ultra-processed markers: oligofructose, golden syrup, modified starch, pectin, flavourings. 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.