Is Maltesers Ultra-Processed (UPF)?

Maltesers

Barcode 5000159523776

Scanned 15 times by Nomi users

Yes — Maltesers is ultra-processed.

The product is ultra-processed. It contains several NOVA ultra-processed ingredients and additives, including skimmed milk powder (pre-identified UPF ingredient), glucose syrup (industrial refined sugar syrup), barley malt extract (industrially processed flavor extract), palm fat and palm kernel oil (highly refined oils), emulsifiers (soya lecithin, E492), and glazing agent pectins. These industrial formulations and additives classify the product as ultra-processed.

Ingredients

4 ultra-processed markers

OK

sugar

Granulated sugar derived from sugarcane or sugar beets; a basic, single-ingredient sweetener.
OK

Skimmed Milk Powder

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

cocoa butter

A fat extracted from cocoa beans, used in chocolate, cosmetics, and baking as a fat component.
UPF

glucose syrup

A processed syrup made from starch (usually corn) consisting mainly of glucose; commonly used as a sweetener and thickener.
UPF

Barley Malt Extract

Barley malt extract is a sweetener made from malted barley grains.
OK

cocoa mass

Ground or melted cocoa beans; pure cocoa solids used for chocolate making.
UPF

palm fat

A fat derived from the fruit of oil palm. Often a highly processed vegetable oil used in food production.
OK

lactose and protein from whey (from milk)
OK

whey powder (from milk)

Dairy-derived powder from whey, containing lactose, proteins and minerals; common protein supplement and ingredient in dairy products.
OK

milk fat

Dairy fat from milk, a basic culinary fat used in dairy products and cooking.
UPF

emulsifiers (soy lecithin, e492)

Emulsifiers used to stabilize mixtures in processed foods; soy lecithin is a common food ingredient; E492 refers to a glycolized emulsifier.
OK

wheat flour

Finely ground cereal flour from wheat; a fundamental baking ingredient.
OK

palm kermel fat
OK

palm kernel oil

Edible oil extracted from palm kernels, commonly used for frying, cooking, and as an ingredient in processed foods.
OK

raising agents (e341, e500, e501)
OK

wheat gluten

Gluten from wheat; a protein complex used as a food ingredient to provide elasticity and structure in doughs and meat substitutes (e.g., seitan).
OK

salt

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

glazing agent (pectins)
OK

vanilla extract, natural

Liquid extract derived from vanilla beans, used as a flavoring agent in sweet and savory dishes. Typically contains alcohol as a solvent and vanilla compounds.
OK

milk chocolate contains milk solids 14% minimum
OK

milk chocolate contains vegetable fats in addition to cocoa butter

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Common questions about Maltesers

Is Maltesers ultra-processed?

Yes — Maltesers by Maltesers is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is ultra-processed. It contains several NOVA ultra-processed ingredients and additives, including skimmed milk powder (pre-identified UPF ingredient), glucose syrup (industrial refined sugar syrup), barley malt extract (industrially processed flavor extract), palm fat and palm kernel oil (highly refined oils), emulsifiers (soya lecithin, E492), and glazing agent pectins. These industrial formulations and additives classify the product as ultra-processed.

Which ingredients in Maltesers are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 4 ingredients in Maltesers as ultra-processed markers: glucose syrup, Barley Malt Extract, palm fat, emulsifiers (soy lecithin, e492). 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.