No — falafel is not ultra-processed.
The ingredient list consists mainly of whole or minimally processed foods (chickpeas, vegetables, herbs, spices, basic flour, sugar, oil). It does not include industrial additives such as emulsifiers, artificial sweeteners, flavor enhancers, or industrially processed syrups. Rapeseed oil and fortified wheat flour are considered basic culinary ingredients, not UPF, under the given rules.
Other meat alternatives products Nomi has analysed ingredient by ingredient.
Vegetarian 1/4lb Burgers
Linda McCartney
UPF
Morrocan Falaffels
Cauldron
Not UPF
Original Seitan
The Tofoo Co
UPF
4 Spicy Bean Quarter Pounders
Sainsburys
UPF
6 Veggie Sausages
Chef Select, Lidl
Not UPF
Veggie Fingers
higgidy-family-kitchen
Not UPF
Moroccan Style Burgers
Lidl
Not UPF
8 Meat Free Sausages
Richmond
UPF
Thick-cut Filet
Juicy marbles
UPF
HUVUDROLL Plant balls
IKEA
UPF
No — falafel by Waitrose is not ultra-processed, so it is not a UPF (ultra-processed food). The ingredient list consists mainly of whole or minimally processed foods (chickpeas, vegetables, herbs, spices, basic flour, sugar, oil). It does not include industrial additives such as emulsifiers, artificial sweeteners, flavor enhancers, or industrially processed syrups. Rapeseed oil and fortified wheat flour are considered basic culinary ingredients, not UPF, under the given rules.
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.