Yes — Macaroni cheese is ultra-processed.
Classified as ultra-processed because the ingredient list includes several industrial additives and processed ingredients: flavouring, modified cornflour, and stabilisers (polyphosphates and sodium phosphates). These go beyond basic culinary ingredients and fit NOVA’s definition of ultra-processed foods.
Other ready meals Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
thai Green vegetables
tideford organics
Not UPF
Beef Lasagne
Marks & Spencer
Not UPF
Pan-Fry Gnocchi
Rana
Not UPF
Pumpkin and Pine Nut Fiorelli
Waitrose & Partners
Not UPF
Macaroni Cheese
Marks & Spencer
Not UPF
Minestrone
Sainsbury's
Not UPF
Feta & Semi-Dried Tomato Pasta - No Mayo
Tesco
Not UPF
Tesco Minestrone
Tesco
Not UPF
Malaysian inspired coconut noodle laksa
Tesco
Not UPF
Glorious grains
merchant gourmet
Not UPF
Yes — Macaroni cheese by Heinz is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). Classified as ultra-processed because the ingredient list includes several industrial additives and processed ingredients: flavouring, modified cornflour, and stabilisers (polyphosphates and sodium phosphates). These go beyond basic culinary ingredients and fit NOVA’s definition of ultra-processed foods.
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.