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Soft white bread by Asda, Hartley’s
Asda, Hartley’s

Soft white bread

Barcode 5054781496700
Scanned  26  times by Nomi users
Ultra-Processed Food (UPF)

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.

Ingredients

6 ultra-processed markers
  • OK
    wheat flour with calcium
    A basic flour used as a primary baking ingredient; calcium fortification is common in some wheat flours.
  • OK
    iron
    Essential mineral used as a nutrient or fortifying ingredient in foods.
  • OK
    niacin (vitamin b3) and thiamin (vitamin b1)
    A combination of vitamins added to foods; could indicate fortified ingredient or supplement.
  • OK
    water
    Essential base ingredient for countless foods and beverages; serves as solvent and texture modifier.
  • OK
    yeast
    A living microorganism used as a leavening agent in baking.
  • UPF
    vegetable oil (rapeseed, sustainable palm)
    A blend of vegetable oils, primarily rapeseed (canola) oil, with a palm oil component. Used as a basic cooking oil and ingredient base in foods.
  • OK
    salt
    Common mineral compound (sodium chloride) used as a seasoning and preservative across cuisines.
  • UPF
    flavouring
    A generic additive used to impart or enhance flavor; can be synthetic or derived from natural sources.
  • OK
    soy flour
    A basic single-ingredient flour made from soybeans, used as a gluten-free flour option with high protein content.
  • UPF
    emulsifier e471 (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids)
    A common food additive used to stabilize and combine fats and liquids in processed foods.
  • UPF
    e481
    An emulsifier additive used in processed foods; typically refers to glycerol esters of fatty acids commonly used to improve texture and stability.
  • UPF
    calcium propionate
    Calcium propionate is a synthetic calcium salt used as a preservative to prevent mold and extend shelf life in baked goods and some dairy products.
  • OK
    ascorbic acid (vitamin c) flour treatment agent
    Oxidizing agent used to strengthen dough and whiten flour; a vitamin used as processing aid.
  • UPF
    e920 l-cysteine
    A dough conditioner amino acid sometimes derived from plant or animal sources; a processed additive.

Healthier alternatives

Reviewed by Nomi

Similar products that aren't ultra-processed — swap and keep the flavour.

Swap it for something less processed

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Other breads & wraps Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.

Common questions about Soft white bread

Is Soft white bread ultra-processed?

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.

Which ingredients in Soft white bread are ultra-processed?

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.

What are healthier alternatives to Soft white bread?

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.

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.

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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.

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