Tesco

Butter

Barcode 5051140741594

Scanned 14 times by Nomi users

Yes — Butter is ultra-processed.

The ingredient list is valid. The product is ultra-processed because it contains several industrial additives and ultra-processed ingredients, including palm oil (a refined, highly processed oil), stabiliser (sodium alginate), emulsifiers (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids), polyglycerol polyricinoleate, sunflower lecithins, preservative (potassium sorbate), and added flavouring. These additives and refined ingredients go beyond basic culinary processing and fit NOVA’s definition of ultra-processed foods.

Ingredients

5 ultra-processed markers

OK

water

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

rapeseed oil

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

palm oil

A widely used edible oil pressed from the fruit of oil palms; a basic culinary oil but highly processed in many commercial products.
OK

salt

A basic mineral used as a seasoning and preservative; essential for flavor balance.
OK

reconstituted buttermilk (milk)
OK

stabiliser (sodium alginate)
OK

emulsifiers (mono - and di-glycerides of fatty acids)
OK

polyglycerol polyricinoleate
UPF

sunflower lecithins

Phospholipid emulsifier derived from sunflower seeds, commonly used to improve texture and emulsification in foods.
UPF

potassium sorbate

Potassium sorbate is a widely used food preservative that inhibits the growth of molds, yeast, and some bacteria to extend shelf life.
OK

lactic acid

A naturally occurring organic acid used as an acidity regulator and flavoring in foods.
OK

vitamin e (tocopherol)

A fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin used as a dietary supplement and stabilizer in fats and oils.
UPF

color (carotenes)

Food colorant derived from carotenes, used to impart or enhance yellow-orange hues in products.
UPF

flavouring

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

vitamin a

Fat-soluble vitamin essential for vision, immunity, and cell function; commonly used as a dietary supplement or fortifying agent.
OK

vitamin d

Fat-soluble vitamin used for fortification and dietary supplementation; commonly present in foods as a nutrient or supplement.

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Common questions about Butter

Is Butter ultra-processed?

Yes — Butter by Tesco is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The ingredient list is valid. The product is ultra-processed because it contains several industrial additives and ultra-processed ingredients, including palm oil (a refined, highly processed oil), stabiliser (sodium alginate), emulsifiers (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids), polyglycerol polyricinoleate, sunflower lecithins, preservative (potassium sorbate), and added flavouring. These additives and refined ingredients go beyond basic culinary processing and fit NOVA’s definition of ultra-processed foods.

Which ingredients in Butter are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 5 ingredients in Butter as ultra-processed markers: palm oil, sunflower lecithins, potassium sorbate, color (carotenes), flavouring. 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.