Thorntons,

Continental

Barcode 5016346519439

Scanned 16 times by Nomi users

Yes — Continental is ultra-processed.

The product is classified as ultra-processed (UPF). The ingredient list includes several industrially processed ingredients and additives such as glucose syrup, dextrose, invert sugar syrup, maltodextrin (in the lemon juice powder), flavourings, emulsifiers (soya lecithin, sunflower lecithin), and stabiliser (invertase). These are characteristic of NOVA ultra-processed foods. While many ingredients are basic foods (sugar, cocoa butter, milk, nuts), the presence of these additives and refined sugar syrups is sufficient to classify the overall product as UPF.

Ingredients

6 ultra-processed markers

OK

ients sugar
OK

cocoa butter

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

cocoa mass

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

dried milk (milk powder)

Milk powder produced by drying milk, a processed dairy product.
OK

vegetable fats (palm kernel, palm, shea)
OK

hazelnuts

Edible nuts from Corylus trees, rich in fat, protein, and micronutrients; commonly roasted or eaten raw as a snack or used in baking and confectionery.
OK

dried skimmed milk

Dried skimmed milk is powdered milk with fat removed, used as a dairy ingredient to provide protein and calcium.
OK

butter (milk)

A dairy fat product made from churning cream; commonly used in cooking and baking.
OK

fat-reduced cocoa powder

Cocoa powder from which most of the fat (cocoa butter) has been removed; used to add cocoa flavor with lower fat content.
UPF

glucose syrup

A processed syrup made from starch (usually corn) consisting mainly of glucose; commonly used as a sweetener and thickener.
OK

whole milk

Milk with no or minimal fat removal, commonly used as a dairy beverage and ingredient.
OK

double cream

A high-fat dairy cream skimmed from cow’s milk, commonly used for whipping and adding richness to dishes.
UPF

dextrose

A simple sugar derived from glucose. Commonly used as a sweetener and source of quick energy in foods.
UPF

emulsifiers (soy lecithin, sunflower lecithin)

A food additive mixture where lecithin acts as an emulsifier derived from soy and sunflower. Lecithin is an extracted/processed emulsifier used to stabilize mixtures like fats and water.
OK

almonds

Edible seeds of the Prunus dulcis tree; mildly sweet, versatile in sweet and savory dishes, rich in healthy fats, protein, and micronutrients.
OK

anhydros milk fat
UPF

invert sugar syrup

A refined sugar syrup produced by hydrolyzing sucrose into glucose and fructose; a processed sweetener often used in foods.
OK

lemon juice powder (maltodextrin, concentrated lemon juice)
OK

roasted cocoa nibs
OK

orange juice concentrate

Juice from oranges with water removed to concentrate sugars and flavors.
OK

maize starch

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

dried instant coffee
OK

salt

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

stabiliser (invertase)
OK

sea salt

A basic mineral-rich salt derived from evaporated seawater, used as a seasoning and preservative.
OK

ammonium hydrogen carbonate

A leavening agent used in baking. It decomposes on heating to release ammonia, carbon dioxide, and water, helping dough rise.
OK

lactose (milk)

A disaccharide derived from lactose in milk, commonly used as a dairy-derived additive or ingredient.
UPF

citric acid

A sour-tasting organic acid used as an acidulant and preservative in foods. Commonly added in small amounts to adjust acidity.
OK

our chocolate is made with 100% cocoa butter
OK

milk chocolate with 30% minimum cocoa solids

Milk chocolate is a chocolate confection made from cocoa solids, cocoa butter, milk solids, and sugar. It provides the characteristic creamy chocolate flavor and texture.
OK

milk solids 20% minimum
OK

dark chocolate contains: cocoa solids 48% minimum
OK

gianduja milk chocolate contains: cocoa solids 29% minimum
OK

milk solids 15% minimum c feedback

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Common questions about Continental

Is Continental ultra-processed?

Yes — Continental by Thorntons, is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is classified as ultra-processed (UPF). The ingredient list includes several industrially processed ingredients and additives such as glucose syrup, dextrose, invert sugar syrup, maltodextrin (in the lemon juice powder), flavourings, emulsifiers (soya lecithin, sunflower lecithin), and stabiliser (invertase). These are characteristic of NOVA ultra-processed foods. While many ingredients are basic foods (sugar, cocoa butter, milk, nuts), the presence of these additives and refined sugar syrups is sufficient to classify the overall product as UPF.

Which ingredients in Continental are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 6 ingredients in Continental as ultra-processed markers: glucose syrup, dextrose, emulsifiers (soy lecithin, sunflower lecithin), invert sugar syrup, flavourings, citric acid. 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.