Yes — Bisto gravy granules is ultra-processed.
Classified as ultra-processed because the ingredient list contains several industrial additives and ultra-processed ingredients, including maltodextrin (an industrially produced refined carbohydrate), palm fat (a highly refined palm oil product), flavour enhancers (monosodium glutamate and disodium 5'-ribonucleotides), flavourings (industrial flavouring agents), emulsifier (soya lecithin), and colour (ammonia caramel). According to NOVA, the presence of these additives and industrial formulations makes the product UPF.
Similar products that aren't ultra-processed — swap and keep the flavour.
Other cooking & baking Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
Chopped Garlic
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Dark Maple Syrup
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Vegan Engevita Nutritional Yeast Flakes
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Tomato Passata
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Jalfrezi Spice Paste
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Medium spice paste
patak’s
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100% Pure Canadian Red Maple Syrup
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agave nectar
the groovy food company
Not UPF
Yes — Bisto gravy granules by Bisto is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). Classified as ultra-processed because the ingredient list contains several industrial additives and ultra-processed ingredients, including maltodextrin (an industrially produced refined carbohydrate), palm fat (a highly refined palm oil product), flavour enhancers (monosodium glutamate and disodium 5'-ribonucleotides), flavourings (industrial flavouring agents), emulsifier (soya lecithin), and colour (ammonia caramel). According to NOVA, the presence of these additives and industrial formulations makes the product UPF.
Nomi flags 7 ingredients in Bisto gravy granules as ultra-processed markers: maltodextrin, palm fat, caramel color (ammonia-treated), flavour enhancers (monosodium glutamate, disodium 5'-ribonucleotides), flavourings, Emulsifier (Soya Lecithin), black pepper extract. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.
Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including Tesco finest chicken gravy by Tesco Finest, Beef gravy by M&S, Beef & Red Wine Gravy by Sainsbury's Taste The Difference. See the healthier alternatives above for details.
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.