Waitrose

Lemon curd

Barcode 5000169012604

Yes — Lemon curd is ultra-processed.

The product is classified as ultra-processed (UPF) because it contains lemon oil, which has been pre-identified as a UPF ingredient, as well as industrial additives such as agar (a gelling agent) and sulphur dioxide (a preservative). These extracted/isolated additives and flavoring agents are characteristic of NOVA ultra-processed foods.

Ingredients

3 ultra-processed markers

OK

sugar

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

pasteurised free-range egg salted butter (butter milk)

A compound ingredient combining pasteurised free-range egg with salted butter, possibly including butter milk as part of the dairy mixture. Represents a dairy-egg blend used in cooking or baking.
UPF

salt-concentrated lemon juice (8%)

Concentrated lemon juice with a stated 8% salt content or similar concentrate form. A processed fruit juice concentrate used for flavoring or acidity.
OK

water

Essential base ingredient for countless foods and beverages; serves as solvent and texture modifier.
UPF

lemon oil

A volatile essential oil extracted from lemon peels, used as a citrus flavoring or aroma in foods.
OK

gelling agent agar

Agar, a natural gelling agent derived from seaweed used to gel foods.
UPF

sulphur dioxide

A chemical preservative and antioxidant gas used in food processing to prevent browning and spoilage; commonly added as sulfur dioxide or sulfites in dried fruits, wine, and other products.

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Common questions about Lemon curd

Is Lemon curd ultra-processed?

Yes — Lemon curd by Waitrose is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is classified as ultra-processed (UPF) because it contains lemon oil, which has been pre-identified as a UPF ingredient, as well as industrial additives such as agar (a gelling agent) and sulphur dioxide (a preservative). These extracted/isolated additives and flavoring agents are characteristic of NOVA ultra-processed foods.

Which ingredients in Lemon curd are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 3 ingredients in Lemon curd as ultra-processed markers: salt-concentrated lemon juice (8%), lemon oil, sulphur dioxide. 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.