Yes — Penguin Biscuit Bar is ultra-processed.
The product contains several ultra-processed ingredients/additives, including palm oil, glucose-fructose syrup, emulsifiers (soya lecithin, E476), and natural flavouring. These industrial additives and refined ingredients make the product ultra-processed according to NOVA.
Other biscuits & cookies Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
Shortbread All Butter Fingers
Sainsbury's
Not UPF
Macine mb 350g int. eu
Barilla,Mulino Bianco
Not UPF
Finest Scottish Shortbread Fingers
Tesco
Not UPF
Shortbread Highlanders
Walkers
Not UPF
Cheddar Twists
Waitrose
Not UPF
crunchy vanilla biscuits
Plants
Not UPF
cheddar & spinach mini muffins
Higgidy
Not UPF
Spinach, red pepper & basil mini muffins
Higgidy
Not UPF
Crunchy ginger biscuits
Deliciously Ella
Not UPF
4 All Butter Sultana Scones
Tesco Finest
Not UPF
Yes — Penguin Biscuit Bar by McVitie's is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product contains several ultra-processed ingredients/additives, including palm oil, glucose-fructose syrup, emulsifiers (soya lecithin, E476), and natural flavouring. These industrial additives and refined ingredients make the product ultra-processed according to NOVA.
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.