Nestlé

Kitkat

Barcode 7613035220065

Scanned 34 times by Nomi users

Yes — Kitkat is ultra-processed.

The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains several industrial additives and ingredients characteristic of UPFs. Specifically, refined palm and palm kernel oils (listed as vegetable fats including palm, palm kernel, shea/illipe/mango kernel/kokum gurgi/sal) are highly processed oils, and the emulsifiers sunflower lecithin and soya lecithin are industrially extracted additives. The presence of 'natural vanilla flavourings' and 'natural flavourings' also indicates added industrial flavoring agents. According to the provided criteria, any of these ingredients is sufficient to classify the product as ultra-processed.

Ingredients

5 ultra-processed markers

OK

sugar

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

wheat flour

Milled wheat flour used as a base for baking; commonly enriched with B vitamins and minerals.
OK

milk powder (whole and skimmed)

Dried dairy product derived from milk, containing solid components from whole or skimmed milk; used as a dairy ingredient and fortifier in foods.
OK

cocoa mass

Ground roasted cocoa beans; a basic ingredient for chocolate production.
OK

cocoa butter

A fat extracted from cocoa beans, used in chocolate, cosmetics, and baking as a fat component.
UPF

vegetable fats blend (palm, palm kernel, shea, illipe, mango kernel, kokum gurgi, sal)

A mixture of plant-based fats/oils, including palm oil and other tropical fats; used as a fat source in foods.
UPF

lactose and whey proteins (from milk)

Dairy-derived lactose and whey proteins, typically used as ingredients in dairy or processed foods.
OK

whey powder (from milk)

Dairy-derived powder from whey, containing lactose, proteins and minerals; common protein supplement and ingredient in dairy products.
UPF

emulsifiers: sunflower lecithin and soya lecithin

Emulsifying agents derived from sunflower and soybean lecithin to help stabilize emulsions in foods.
OK

yeast

A living microorganism used as a leavening agent in baking.
OK

sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)

A leavening agent that releases carbon dioxide when reacting with an acid in baking; commonly used in doughs and baked goods.
OK

natural vanilla flavorings

Natural vanilla flavorings are extracts or essences derived from vanilla beans used to impart vanilla aroma and taste in foods. They are typically obtained by extracting vanilla components with solvents and may include vanilla bean extract or vanilla bean oil.
OK

salt

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

butterfat (from milk)

Milk fat component, commonly used in dairy products and some processed foods.
UPF

natural flavourings

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

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Common questions about Kitkat

Is Kitkat ultra-processed?

Yes — Kitkat by Nestlé is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains several industrial additives and ingredients characteristic of UPFs. Specifically, refined palm and palm kernel oils (listed as vegetable fats including palm, palm kernel, shea/illipe/mango kernel/kokum gurgi/sal) are highly processed oils, and the emulsifiers sunflower lecithin and soya lecithin are industrially extracted additives. The presence of 'natural vanilla flavourings' and 'natural flavourings' also indicates added industrial flavoring agents. According to the provided criteria, any of these ingredients is sufficient to classify the product as ultra-processed.

Which ingredients in Kitkat are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 5 ingredients in Kitkat as ultra-processed markers: vegetable fats blend (palm, palm kernel, shea, illipe, mango kernel, kokum gurgi, sal), lactose and whey proteins (from milk), emulsifiers: sunflower lecithin and soya lecithin, butterfat (from milk), natural flavourings. 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.