Yes — Hot cross buns is ultra-processed.
The product is classified as ultra-processed (UPF). The ingredient list contains several industrial additives and formulations: emulsifiers (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, mono- and di-acetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids), potato dextrin, flavouring, and palm oil. These are characteristic UPF markers under NOVA. Other ingredients are mostly basic foods or culinary ingredients (wheat flour, butter, honey, demerara sugar, rapeseed oil, yeast, salt, spices), but the presence of the noted industrial additives and refined palm oil is sufficient to classify the overall product as UPF.
Other drinks Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
White Sourdough Bloomer
Coop
Not UPF
chapelure
Belbake, Lidl, Navarre
Not UPF
Multi grain seeded crispbreads
Duchy Originals from Waitrose
Not UPF
Sesame Crispbread with a naturally nutty flavour
Rivercote, Lidl
Not UPF
plain mini poppadoms
Laila
Not UPF
Fruity Black Currants
Rocks
Not UPF
belvoir farm elderflower cordial
Belvoir
Not UPF
Juicy Oranges Whole Fruit Squash
Rocks
Not UPF
Coconut Water The Original
Vita Coco
Not UPF
Yes — Hot cross buns by Tesco is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is classified as ultra-processed (UPF). The ingredient list contains several industrial additives and formulations: emulsifiers (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, mono- and di-acetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids), potato dextrin, flavouring, and palm oil. These are characteristic UPF markers under NOVA. Other ingredients are mostly basic foods or culinary ingredients (wheat flour, butter, honey, demerara sugar, rapeseed oil, yeast, salt, spices), but the presence of the noted industrial additives and refined palm oil is sufficient to classify the overall product as UPF.
Nomi flags 4 ingredients in Hot cross buns as ultra-processed markers: emulsifiers (mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids, mono- and diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids), potato dextrin, flavouring, palm oil. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.
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.