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Yes — Kimchi is ultra-processed.
Not a great choice for everyday because it contains an industrially processed syrup.
Kimchi is generally made from minimally processed vegetables and seasonings, but maize syrup is an industrially processed syrup and is treated as an ultra-processed ingredient under the stated criteria. Its presence makes the product ultra-processed. The cabbage, radish, salt, sugar, garlic, ginger, chilli pepper, water, and rice flour do not independently make it UPF.
Other cupboard staples Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
Hearty Vegetable broth
Trader Joe's
Not UPF
Hugh's classic vegetable stock
River Cottage
Not UPF
Red split lentils
Laila
Not UPF
Rustic Vegetable soup
Suma
Not UPF
Queen Black Beans
Bold Bean Co
Not UPF
Chopped tomatoes
donhorio
Not UPF
Low Sugar Baked Beans
Suma
Not UPF
Organic White Miso - Light Soybean paste
MISO Tasty
Not UPF
Baked Beans
Marks & Spencers, Marks & Spencer
Not UPF
Gungo Peas
Tropical Sun
Not UPF
Yes — Kimchi by Sun Hee is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). Kimchi is generally made from minimally processed vegetables and seasonings, but maize syrup is an industrially processed syrup and is treated as an ultra-processed ingredient under the stated criteria. Its presence makes the product ultra-processed. The cabbage, radish, salt, sugar, garlic, ginger, chilli pepper, water, and rice flour do not independently make it UPF.
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.
This page was shared from Nomi, the free app that tells you instantly whether any food is ultra-processed.
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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.