Abbott

Ensure

Barcode 8710428999849

Yes — Ensure is ultra-processed.

The ingredient list is valid. The product is ultra-processed because it contains industrial ingredients and additives including maltodextrin, flavouring, soy protein isolate, hydrolysed corn starch, fructo-oligosaccharides, and added antioxidants (304, 307b).

Ingredients

2 ultra-processed markers

OK

hydrolysed corn starch
UPF

maltodextrin

A white powder made from starch that has been partially hydrolyzed; used as a thickener or filler and widely used as a food additive.
OK

sucrose

Common table sugar; a basic single-ingredient sweetener.
OK

milk protein concentrate
OK

high oleic sunflower oil

A refined oil pressed from high oleic sunflower seeds, used as a cooking fat with high monounsaturated fat content.
OK

soy protein isolate
OK

fructo-oligosaccharides (fos)
OK

soy oil
OK

minerals (sodium citrate, potassium chloride, potassium citrate, magnesium chloride, calcium carbonate, potassium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate, ferrous sulphate, zinc sulphate, manganese sulphate, cupric sulphate, chromium chloride, potassium iodide, sodium molybdate, sodium selenate)
OK

canola oil
UPF

flavouring

A generic additive used to impart or enhance flavor; can be synthetic or derived from natural sources.
OK

vitamins (choline chloride, ascorbic acid, calcium pantothenate, vitamin e, niacinamide, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, vitamin a palmitate, thiamin hydrochloride, beta carotene, folic acid, phylloquinone, biotin, vitamin d3, cyanocobalamin)
OK

antioxidants (304, 307b)

Common questions about Ensure

Is Ensure ultra-processed?

Yes — Ensure by Abbott is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The ingredient list is valid. The product is ultra-processed because it contains industrial ingredients and additives including maltodextrin, flavouring, soy protein isolate, hydrolysed corn starch, fructo-oligosaccharides, and added antioxidants (304, 307b).

Which ingredients in Ensure are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 2 ingredients in Ensure as ultra-processed markers: maltodextrin, flavouring. 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.