Yes — Essential waitrose wholewheat biscuits is ultra-processed.
Classified as ultra-processed because the ingredient list includes barley malt extract, which is an industrially processed extract used as a flavor enhancer and considered UPF according to the provided NOVA-based rules. Other ingredients like sugar, wholegrain wheat, salt, and added vitamins/minerals are not in themselves UPF, but the presence of malted barley extract is sufficient to classify the whole product as UPF.
Other breakfast cereals & bars Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
Grape-Nuts
Post
Not UPF
Low Sugar Granola Original
Crownfield
Not UPF
Sonnenmais natursüß
Freshona
Not UPF
shredded wheat
Nestlé
Not UPF
Jumbo Rolled Oats
Quaker
Not UPF
Organic Porridge Oats
Flahavan's
Not UPF
Super smooth porridge imp
Ready break, Weetabix
Not UPF
Cocoa Alpha Bites
BEAR
Not UPF
Shredded Wheat
Nestlé
Not UPF
Simply porridge oats
Lidl
Not UPF
Yes — Essential waitrose wholewheat biscuits by Waitrose is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). Classified as ultra-processed because the ingredient list includes barley malt extract, which is an industrially processed extract used as a flavor enhancer and considered UPF according to the provided NOVA-based rules. Other ingredients like sugar, wholegrain wheat, salt, and added vitamins/minerals are not in themselves UPF, but the presence of malted barley extract is sufficient to classify the whole product as UPF.
Nomi flags one ingredient in Essential waitrose wholewheat biscuits as an ultra-processed marker: barley malt extract. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.
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.