Waitrose

Waitrose Belgian dark chocolate

Barcode 5000169608074

Scanned 16 times by Nomi users

Yes — Waitrose Belgian dark chocolate is ultra-processed.

The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains sunflower lecithin, an emulsifier. Emulsifiers are industrial additives used to improve texture and shelf stability, and their presence places a food in the ultra-processed (NOVA 4) category, even when the rest of the ingredients are relatively simple (cocoa mass, sugar, raisins, almonds, cocoa butter).

Ingredients

1 ultra-processed marker

OK

cocoa mass

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

sugar

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

raisins

Dried grapes, a natural fruit ingredient used for sweetness and texture.
OK

almonds (10%)
OK

cocoa butter

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

sunflower lecithin

A natural phospholipid emulsifier derived from sunflower seeds, used to improve texture, blend fats and water, and stabilize emulsions in foods.

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Common questions about Waitrose Belgian dark chocolate

Is Waitrose Belgian dark chocolate ultra-processed?

Yes — Waitrose Belgian dark chocolate by Waitrose is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains sunflower lecithin, an emulsifier. Emulsifiers are industrial additives used to improve texture and shelf stability, and their presence places a food in the ultra-processed (NOVA 4) category, even when the rest of the ingredients are relatively simple (cocoa mass, sugar, raisins, almonds, cocoa butter).

Which ingredients in Waitrose Belgian dark chocolate are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags one ingredient in Waitrose Belgian dark chocolate as an ultra-processed marker: sunflower lecithin. 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.