Tesco

Tesco lentil & bacon soup

Barcode 5054268737234

Scanned 16 times by Nomi users

Yes — Tesco lentil & bacon soup is ultra-processed.

The product is UPF because it contains industrial additives and formulations: modified maize starch (a chemically modified starch used as a thickener/stabiliser), flavouring (industrial flavouring agents), dextrose (industrially refined sugar), and stabiliser (calcium chloride). These ingredients go beyond basic culinary processing and place the soup in the ultra-processed category under NOVA.

Ingredients

5 ultra-processed markers

OK

water

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

red lentils (22%)
OK

smoked bacon (6%) [pork
OK

salt

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

dextrose

A simple sugar (glucose) used as a sweetener or humectant in foods. It is often added to processed products.
OK

tomato purée

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

potato

A starchy tuber, a common staple food used as a vegetable. Can be prepared in many ways (boiled, fried, baked).
OK

carrot

A root vegetable used widely in cooking for sweetness, texture, and color.
OK

onion

A common bulb vegetable used as a base flavor in many cuisines. Crisp, pungent, sweet when cooked.
UPF

modified maize starch

A processed starch, often used as a thickener or binding agent in foods; may be treated to modify properties.
OK

garlic

A bulbous aromatic spice used to impart savory flavor in cooking; can be used fresh, sautéed, roasted, or in powder form.
UPF

flavouring

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

sugar

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

onion powder

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

parsley

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

calcium chloride

Calcium chloride used as a stabiliser or coagulant in foods; common food additive.
UPF

beta-carotene

A natural or synthetic orange pigment used as a colorant in foods and supplements.
OK

pepper extract

A flavoring extract derived from black pepper, used to impart pepper flavor in foods.

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Common questions about Tesco lentil & bacon soup

Is Tesco lentil & bacon soup ultra-processed?

Yes — Tesco lentil & bacon soup by Tesco is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is UPF because it contains industrial additives and formulations: modified maize starch (a chemically modified starch used as a thickener/stabiliser), flavouring (industrial flavouring agents), dextrose (industrially refined sugar), and stabiliser (calcium chloride). These ingredients go beyond basic culinary processing and place the soup in the ultra-processed category under NOVA.

Which ingredients in Tesco lentil & bacon soup are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 5 ingredients in Tesco lentil & bacon soup as ultra-processed markers: dextrose, modified maize starch, flavouring, calcium chloride, beta-carotene. 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.