oxo

OXO vegetable stock cubes

Barcode 5000354404368

Scanned 28 times by Nomi users

Yes — OXO vegetable stock cubes is ultra-processed.

The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains several industrial additives and ingredients characteristic of NOVA ultra-processed foods, including: dried glucose syrup (an industrially refined sugar syrup), flavour enhancers (monosodium glutamate, disodium 5'-ribonucleotides), flavourings (industrial flavouring agents), palm oil (a highly processed refined oil), and onion/black pepper extracts used as concentrated flavouring components. These go beyond basic culinary ingredients and indicate an industrial formulation.

Ingredients

6 ultra-processed markers

OK

for a tasty stock dissolve 1 cube in 190ml of boiling water. no artificial preservatives ingredients (greatest first): salt
OK

potato starch

A basic, finely ground starch derived from potatoes; used as a thickener and binder in foods.
OK

wheat flour

Finely ground wheat used as a basic carbohydrate source; fortified with added calcium, iron, niacin, and thiamin.
UPF

dried glucose syrup

Concentrated, dried form of glucose syrup, a refined sweetener derived from carbohydrates.
UPF

flavour enhancers (monosodium glutamate, disodium 5'-ribonucleotides)

Flavor-enhancing additives including monosodium glutamate and disodium 5'-ribonucleotides.
UPF

onion extract

A liquid extract derived from onions used as a flavoring agent in foods.
UPF

flavourings

Flavourings are additives that are used to enhance or impart flavor to food products. They are considered ultra-processed as they are synthetic or natural substances that are typically extracted, isolated, or synthesized for their flavor properties.
UPF

palm oil

A widely used edible oil pressed from the fruit of oil palms; a basic culinary oil but highly processed in many commercial products.
UPF

yeast extract

A savory flavoring derived from yeast; may contain barley and gluten; used as a seasoning and flavor enhancer in foods.
OK

tomato powder

Powdered tomato used as a flavoring or ingredient, a minimally processed dried tomato product.
OK

sugar

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

dried herbs (parsley, bay, thyme)
OK

black pepper extract

A spice-derived extract from black pepper used for flavoring. Generally considered a basic food ingredient when used in small amounts.
OK

including cereals containing gluten
OK

see ingredients in bold

Healthier alternatives

Reviewed by Nomi

Similar products that aren't ultra-processed — swap and keep the flavour.

Not Ultra-Processed

Hugh's classic vegetable stock

River Cottage

View product →

Swap it for something less processed

See all Cooking & Baking →

Other cooking & baking Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.

Common questions about OXO vegetable stock cubes

Is OXO vegetable stock cubes ultra-processed?

Yes — OXO vegetable stock cubes by oxo is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains several industrial additives and ingredients characteristic of NOVA ultra-processed foods, including: dried glucose syrup (an industrially refined sugar syrup), flavour enhancers (monosodium glutamate, disodium 5'-ribonucleotides), flavourings (industrial flavouring agents), palm oil (a highly processed refined oil), and onion/black pepper extracts used as concentrated flavouring components. These go beyond basic culinary ingredients and indicate an industrial formulation.

Which ingredients in OXO vegetable stock cubes are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 6 ingredients in OXO vegetable stock cubes as ultra-processed markers: dried glucose syrup, flavour enhancers (monosodium glutamate, disodium 5'-ribonucleotides), onion extract, flavourings, palm oil, yeast extract. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.

What are healthier alternatives to OXO vegetable stock cubes?

Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including Hugh's classic vegetable stock by River Cottage. See the healthier alternatives above for details.

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.