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Yes — Chicken Nuggets is ultra-processed.
The ingredient list is valid. The product is classified as ultra-processed (UPF) because it contains industrial additives, specifically natural flavouring, which is an extracted and processed additive used to modify taste. The rest of the ingredients are mostly basic culinary ingredients or fortificants, but the presence of natural flavouring is sufficient to classify the overall product as UPF according to NOVA guidance.
Similar products that aren't ultra-processed — swap and keep the flavour.
Other meat & poultry Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
Aberdeen Angus Quarter Pounders
Aldi
Not UPF
Chorizo rojano IGP Dulce
Artysan
Not UPF
Parma Ham
Aldi, Jomi
Not UPF
Pepperoni
Properoni
Not UPF
Wiltshire Cured Ham Slices
Aldi
Not UPF
Roasted topside of beef slices
Aldi,Specially Selected
Not UPF
5% Fat Beef Mince
Sainsbury's
Not UPF
BBQ Chicken
M&S
Not UPF
Roast Chicken Slices
M&S Food
Not UPF
finest £3. TESCO finest Finely Sliced Apple Wood S
Tesco
Not UPF
Yes — Chicken Nuggets by BirdsEye is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The ingredient list is valid. The product is classified as ultra-processed (UPF) because it contains industrial additives, specifically natural flavouring, which is an extracted and processed additive used to modify taste. The rest of the ingredients are mostly basic culinary ingredients or fortificants, but the presence of natural flavouring is sufficient to classify the overall product as UPF according to NOVA guidance.
Nomi flags one ingredient in Chicken Nuggets as an ultra-processed marker: natural flavouring. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.
Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including Breaded 16 chicken goujons by By Sainsbury's, Superstars Chicken Nuggets by Little Dish, 22 Chicken pops 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.
