Charlie Bingham’s

meatballs al forno

Barcode 5033665211257

Scanned 18 times by Nomi users

No — meatballs al forno is not ultra-processed.

The ingredient list consists only of basic culinary ingredients and minimally processed foods (vegetables, meats, cheeses, oils, herbs, spices, pasta, couscous, breadcrumbs). It contains no industrial sweeteners, flavor enhancers, emulsifiers, stabilizers, gelling agents, refined industrial syrups, or other characteristic ultra-processed additives as defined. Paprika extract as a color from a spice is an allowed basic extract, and vanilla-like traditional extracts are not considered UPF under the given rules.

Ingredients

1 ultra-processed marker

OK

tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes, edible fruit often used as a vegetable in salads, sauces, and cooking.
OK

trulli pasta (water, durum wheat semolina, egg)
OK

british pork (15%)
OK

onions

A bulbous vegetable used as a staple aromatic and flavoring in many cuisines.
OK

tomato purée

A tomato-based concentrate obtained by cooking down tomatoes, commonly used as a base or seasoning in dishes.
OK

honey

A natural sweet viscous liquid produced by bees from floral nectar; widely used as a sweetener in foods.
OK

egg

Egg produced from hens allowed to range outdoors; common basic ingredient used as a binding, moisture, or leavening agent.
OK

regato cheese (milk)
OK

rapeseed oil

A basic culinary oil pressed from rapeseeds (Brassica napus). Used for frying, baking, and dressings. Neutral flavor.
OK

extra-virgin olive oil
OK

cheddar cheese

A traditional cheese produced from cow's milk; a basic dairy product not considered ultra-processed.
OK

garlic purée

Pureed garlic, often used as a flavoring base.
OK

parsley

A fresh green herb used to flavor and garnish dishes; commonly added chopped leaves.
OK

wheat couscous
OK

sunflower oil

A neutral-tasting culinary oil pressed from sunflower seeds, rich in unsaturated fats and commonly used for frying and dressings.
OK

sun-dried tomatoes
OK

salt

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

basil

A leafy herb used fresh or dried to flavor dishes; not typically processed as a food ingredient beyond drying or freshness.
OK

vegetarian worcester sauce (water, sugar, spirit vinegar, molasses, onion purée, salt, tamarind paste, cloves, garlic purée, ginger purée)
OK

oregano

A dried aromatic herb used as a spice in cooking, with a warm, slightly bitter flavor.
OK

breadcrumbs (wheat flour (wheat flour, calcium carbonate, iron, niacin, thiamin), yeast, salt)
OK

ground fennel seeds

Finely ground seeds of fennel with a warm, sweet-anise aroma.
OK

cornflour

Ground corn starch used as a thickening agent in cooking and baking.
OK

lemon zest

Fresh citrus peel grated or shredded to add aroma and brightness; contains essential oils and zest oils.
OK

red pepper flakes
OK

black pepper

A common spice made from dried peppercorns of the Piper nigrum plant, used to add pungent heat and aroma to dishes.
OK

ground chillies
UPF

paprika extract

A concentrated pigment derived from paprika used as a colorant in foods.

Common questions about meatballs al forno

Is meatballs al forno ultra-processed?

No — meatballs al forno by Charlie Bingham’s is not ultra-processed, so it is not a UPF (ultra-processed food). The ingredient list consists only of basic culinary ingredients and minimally processed foods (vegetables, meats, cheeses, oils, herbs, spices, pasta, couscous, breadcrumbs). It contains no industrial sweeteners, flavor enhancers, emulsifiers, stabilizers, gelling agents, refined industrial syrups, or other characteristic ultra-processed additives as defined. Paprika extract as a color from a spice is an allowed basic extract, and vanilla-like traditional extracts are not considered UPF under the given rules.

Which ingredients in meatballs al forno are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags one ingredient in meatballs al forno as an ultra-processed marker: paprika extract. 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.