Beef Pasta Bake

Barcode 5010482786274

Yes — Beef Pasta Bake is ultra-processed.

A hearty meal, but industrial additives make it ultra-processed.

This appears to be a beef pasta bake made with macaroni, minced beef, vegetables, tomatoes, quark, herbs, and spices. It is classified as ultra-processed because it contains flavouring and flavourings, yeast extract (including yeast extract containing barley), and stabiliser (xanthan gum). These are industrially processed additives or flavour enhancers associated with ultra-processed formulations. The other ingredients are predominantly conventional foods and culinary ingredients.

Ingredients

4 ultra-processed markers

OK

macaroni pasta (28%) (water, durum wheat semolina)
OK

cooked minced beef (18%)
OK

water

Essential base ingredient for countless foods and beverages; serves as solvent and texture modifier.
OK

mushrooms (10%)
OK

passata (tomato purée)

Tomato purée used as a base sauce in cooking.
OK

spinach (8%)
OK

tomato paste

Concentrated tomato juice cooked down to a thick, concentrated concentrate used as a base or flavoring in sauces and dishes.
OK

onion

A common bulb vegetable used as a base flavor in many cuisines. Crisp, pungent, sweet when cooked.
OK

chopped tomatoes (tomatoes, tomato juice)

Tomatoes that have been chopped, with juice from the tomatoes.
OK

carrot

A root vegetable used widely in cooking for sweetness, texture, and color.
OK

celery

A crunchy, fibrous stalk vegetable commonly used fresh in salads, soups, and as a garnish. Rich in water and nutrients like vitamin K and folate.
OK

quark (skimmed milk soft cheese)

A fresh soft cheese made from skimmed milk, used as a dairy ingredient.
OK

garlic puree

A simple mashed garlic cloves, sometimes with a small amount of oil or salt; used as a flavoring or base ingredient.
OK

potato

A starchy tuber, a common staple food used as a vegetable. Can be prepared in many ways (boiled, fried, baked).
OK

butternut squash puree
OK

beef bouillon (yeast extract (contains barley))
OK

toasted onion powder
UPF

flavouring

A generic additive used to impart or enhance flavor; can be synthetic or derived from natural sources.
OK

onion powder

Dried and ground onion used as a seasoning to impart onion flavor.
OK

salt

Common mineral compound (sodium chloride) used as a seasoning and preservative across cuisines.
OK

roasted onion granules

Dried onion granules that have been roasted to develop a richer flavor.
OK

garlic powder

Dried, ground garlic used as a convenient, concentrated form of garlic flavoring in cooking.
OK

ground black pepper

A fine powder made by grinding peppercorns (Piper nigrum); a common, pungent spice used to season savory dishes.
OK

maize starch

Fine white powder obtained from corn; used as a thickener in sauces and soups.
OK

herbs

A general category of culinary herbs (fresh or dried leaves) used to flavor dishes.
OK

dried tomato

Dehydrated tomato fruit, used as a seasoning or ingredient; provides tomato flavor with extended shelf life.
OK

spices (contain mustard)

A blend of ground spices that may include mustard; used to add aroma, heat, and depth to dishes.
OK

porcini mushroom powder

Powdered form of porcini mushrooms used as a spice or umami seasoning; a single-ingredient dried fungal product.
UPF

yeast extract

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

stabiliser (xanthan gum)

Xanthan gum, a thickening agent used as a stabiliser.
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.

Common questions about Beef Pasta Bake

Is Beef Pasta Bake ultra-processed?

Yes — Beef Pasta Bake is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). This appears to be a beef pasta bake made with macaroni, minced beef, vegetables, tomatoes, quark, herbs, and spices. It is classified as ultra-processed because it contains flavouring and flavourings, yeast extract (including yeast extract containing barley), and stabiliser (xanthan gum). These are industrially processed additives or flavour enhancers associated with ultra-processed formulations. The other ingredients are predominantly conventional foods and culinary ingredients.

Which ingredients in Beef Pasta Bake are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 4 ingredients in Beef Pasta Bake as ultra-processed markers: flavouring, yeast extract, stabiliser (xanthan gum), flavourings. 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.