Tesco

Cheese flavour balls

Barcode 5057753932848

Yes — Cheese flavour balls is ultra-processed.

The product is classified as ultra-processed (UPF). The ingredient list is valid. It contains several ingredients that are considered ultra-processed according to NOVA, including yeast extract, natural flavourings, and colour (paprika extract). These are industrially produced additives used for flavor enhancement and coloring, not simple culinary ingredients. Therefore, the overall product is UPF.

Ingredients

4 ultra-processed markers

OK

maize (corn)

A basic staple grain used as a food ingredient; kernels from Zea mays.
OK

sunflower oil

A neutral-tasting culinary oil pressed from sunflower seeds, rich in unsaturated fats and commonly used for frying and dressings.
OK

dried potato

Dried form of potato used as a processed ingredient or snack base; essentially dehydrated potato.
OK

rice flour

A finely milled flour from milled rice, commonly used as a gluten-free thickener or flour substitute in baking and cooking.
OK

salt

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

onion powder

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

natural flavourings

Flavorings derived from natural sources used to impart taste or aroma; typically a mix of essential oils, compounds, or extracts.
OK

garlic powder

Dried, ground garlic used as a convenient, concentrated form of garlic flavoring in cooking.
UPF

colour (paprika extract)

Natural color additive derived from paprika used to impart a red-orange hue in foods.
UPF

lactic acid

A simple food acidity regulator and preservative derived from fermentation; used to adjust acidity in foods and beverages.

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Common questions about Cheese flavour balls

Is Cheese flavour balls ultra-processed?

Yes — Cheese flavour balls 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 is valid. It contains several ingredients that are considered ultra-processed according to NOVA, including yeast extract, natural flavourings, and colour (paprika extract). These are industrially produced additives used for flavor enhancement and coloring, not simple culinary ingredients. Therefore, the overall product is UPF.

Which ingredients in Cheese flavour balls are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 4 ingredients in Cheese flavour balls as ultra-processed markers: yeast extract, natural flavourings, colour (paprika extract), lactic acid. 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.