Tesco

Beef stock cubes

Barcode 5051898664084

Scanned 18 times by Nomi users

Yes — Beef stock cubes is ultra-processed.

The ingredient list is valid. The product is ultra-processed because it contains several UPF ingredients and additives: palm oil (highly refined oil), yeast extract (industrial flavor enhancer), flavouring (industrial flavor formulation), and colour (plain caramel) (industrial color additive). These additives place it in the NOVA ultra-processed category.

Ingredients

6 ultra-processed markers

UPF

beef stock cube

A ready-to-use dried cube made from beef stock, typically containing salt and added flavorings; a processed culinary ingredient.
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

lactose

A disaccharide sugar derived from milk, used as a carbohydrate sweetener in dairy and baked products.
OK

potato starch

A basic, finely ground starch derived from potatoes; used as a thickener and binder in foods.
OK

sugar

Granulated sugar derived from sugarcane or sugar beets; a basic, single-ingredient sweetener.
UPF

yeast extract

A flavor-enhancing extract produced from yeast cells, rich in amino acids and natural glutamates, commonly used to augment savory flavors.
UPF

beef extract (4.5%)

Concentrated beef flavor obtained through extraction; a processed flavoring ingredient that is commonly used in cooking.
UPF

flavouring

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

plain caramel color

A food coloring produced by heating carbohydrates (often corn or sugar) with acids or alkalis to form a caramel color. Common in beverages and snacks.
OK

onion powder

Dried and ground onion used as a seasoning to impart onion flavor.
OK

carrot powder

Dried, milled carrot used as a powder for flavoring or coloring; a single-ingredient, minimally processed pantry item.
OK

celery powder

Dried ground celery used as a spice or seasoning in soups, gravies, and spice blends.
OK

dried parsley

Dried leaves of parsley (Petroselinum crispum). Used as a fresh-herb substitute that provides a mild, bright, slightly grassy flavor; common in Europe and North America.

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Common questions about Beef stock cubes

Is Beef stock cubes ultra-processed?

Yes — Beef stock cubes 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 UPF ingredients and additives: palm oil (highly refined oil), yeast extract (industrial flavor enhancer), flavouring (industrial flavor formulation), and colour (plain caramel) (industrial color additive). These additives place it in the NOVA ultra-processed category.

Which ingredients in Beef stock cubes are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 6 ingredients in Beef stock cubes as ultra-processed markers: beef stock cube, palm oil, yeast extract, beef extract (4.5%), flavouring, plain caramel color. 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.