Yes — Soft white bread is ultra-processed.
This soft white bread is classified as ultra-processed because it contains several industrial ingredients and additives, including refined vegetable oils (rapeseed and highly processed sustainable palm oil), flavouring, emulsifiers (E471, E481), a preservative (calcium propionate), and a flour treatment agent (E920). These ingredients go beyond basic culinary components and indicate industrial formulation typical of ultra-processed foods in the NOVA classification.
Similar products that aren't ultra-processed — swap and keep the flavour.
Other breads & wraps Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
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Yes — Soft white bread by Asda, Hartley’s is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). This soft white bread is classified as ultra-processed because it contains several industrial ingredients and additives, including refined vegetable oils (rapeseed and highly processed sustainable palm oil), flavouring, emulsifiers (E471, E481), a preservative (calcium propionate), and a flour treatment agent (E920). These ingredients go beyond basic culinary components and indicate industrial formulation typical of ultra-processed foods in the NOVA classification.
Nomi flags 6 ingredients in Soft white bread as ultra-processed markers: vegetable oil (rapeseed, sustainable palm), flavouring, emulsifier e471 (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids), e481, calcium propionate, e920 l-cysteine. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.
Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including Sourdough White Ciabattin by Jason's, Hand Finished White Sourdough by Coop, Sainsburys White Sourdough Bloomer by Sainsbury’s sourdough bloomer. See the healthier alternatives above for details.
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.