Nomi
UPF Food Scanner
Know what’s really in your food
Get the free app
Special K Crunchy Golden Clusters by Special K
Special K

Special K Crunchy Golden Clusters

Barcode 5059319031170
Scanned  33  times by Nomi users
Ultra-Processed Food (UPF)

Yes — Special K Crunchy Golden Clusters is ultra-processed.

The product is ultra-processed because it contains several industrial ingredients and additives, including barley malt extract (an industrial flavoring/sweetener), natural flavourings (industrial flavoring additives), and emulsifier (soy lecithin). These are characteristic of NOVA ultra-processed foods.

Ingredients

2 ultra-processed markers
  • OK
    wheat bran (29%)
  • 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
    sugar
    Granulated sugar derived from sugarcane or sugar beets; a basic, single-ingredient sweetener.
  • OK
    wheat flour
    Finely ground cereal flour from wheat; a fundamental baking ingredient.
  • OK
    sunflower oil
    A neutral-tasting culinary oil pressed from sunflower seeds, rich in unsaturated fats and commonly used for frying and dressings.
  • OK
    maize flour
    Finely ground maize used as a staple ingredient in baking and cooking; a basic food commodity.
  • OK
    salt
    Common mineral compound (sodium chloride) used as a seasoning and preservative across cuisines.
  • UPF
    Barley Malt Extract
    Barley malt extract is a sweetener made from malted barley grains.
  • UPF
    natural flavourings
    Flavorings derived from natural sources used to impart taste or aroma; typically a mix of essential oils, compounds, or extracts.
  • OK
    raising agents (sodium hydrogen carbonate, ammonium hydrogen carbonate)
  • OK
    emulsifier (soy lecithin)
  • OK
    dried skimmed milk
    Dried skimmed milk is powdered milk with fat removed, used as a dairy ingredient to provide protein and calcium.
  • OK
    niacin (vitamin b3)
    A water-soluble vitamin used as a nutrient and often added to foods as a fortifying vitamin.
  • OK
    vitamin b6 (pyridoxine)
    Essential water-soluble vitamin used as a nutrient supplement and fortificant in foods and dietary supplements.
  • OK
    riboflavin
    A water-soluble B vitamin (vitamin B2) used as a nutrient and fortification additive.
  • OK
    folic acid
    A B-vitamin (B9) important for DNA synthesis and red blood cell formation; commonly added to fortified foods and supplements.

Healthier alternatives

Reviewed by Nomi

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

Swap it for something less processed

See all Breakfast Cereals & Bars →

Other breakfast cereals & bars Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.

Common questions about Special K Crunchy Golden Clusters

Is Special K Crunchy Golden Clusters ultra-processed?

Yes — Special K Crunchy Golden Clusters by Special K is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is ultra-processed because it contains several industrial ingredients and additives, including barley malt extract (an industrial flavoring/sweetener), natural flavourings (industrial flavoring additives), and emulsifier (soy lecithin). These are characteristic of NOVA ultra-processed foods.

Which ingredients in Special K Crunchy Golden Clusters are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 2 ingredients in Special K Crunchy Golden Clusters as ultra-processed markers: Barley Malt Extract, natural flavourings. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.

What are healthier alternatives to Special K Crunchy Golden Clusters?

Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including Organic bran flakes, Free From by Sainsbury's Gluten Free Bran Flakes by Sainsbury’s, Bran Flakes by Tesco Free From. 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.

BBC As seen on The One Show

Scan it yourself,
right in the aisle

This page was shared from Nomi, the free app that tells you instantly whether any food is ultra-processed.

  • Scan any barcode — or photograph the ingredients label
  • Every ingredient explained in plain English
  • Daily check-ins show how food affects how you feel
  • Save favourites and build a healthier shopping list

Free download · No subscription needed to start scanning

Nomi monthly wellbeing report
Nomi scan result screen

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.

Nomi — UPF Scanner Free on iOS & Android
Get the app