Label check
How to Spot Ultra-Processed Food on a Label
Look for hydrolysed protein, modified starch, flavours, colours or emulsifiers. These can signal NOVA Group 4, but one ingredient does not tell you whether a food is unsafe.
Free to download on iPhone. Subscription required for Premium.
Three passes before you choose
Start with the ingredient list. The NOVA researchers’ identification guide names hydrolysed proteins, modified starches and protein isolates as examples of food substances rarely used in kitchens. Flavours, colours, sweeteners and emulsifiers are also formulation clues. They describe processing, not whether an ingredient is toxic.
Next, compare similar products on sodium, saturated fat and sugars. Canada’s food guide recommends this check because not all processed foods add excess amounts. On US packs, added sugars appear separately on the Nutrition Facts label.
Finally, decide based on the whole product and your needs. Ingredients and labels vary by market. Try the ultra-processed food checker for the pack in your hand, or see our processed-food aisle list for category examples.
How it works
What counts as a useful clue?
1Food substances
Look for hydrolysed protein, protein isolates or modified starch. In NOVA, these point to ingredients made for industrial formulations; they are not a stand-alone safety warning.
2Flavour and texture additives
Flavours, colours, sweeteners and emulsifiers are common NOVA Group 4 markers. Check the function and the full ingredient list instead of counting unfamiliar words.
3Nutrition and context
Compare two similar products for sodium, saturated fat and sugars. A plain frozen vegetable or canned bean can be processed without being an ultra-processed formulation.
Cleaner swaps
Use the label to compare like with like
A flavoured yogurt
A plain yogurt with fruit you add
Compare the ingredient lists and sugars. A flavouring may be a NOVA clue, while the nutrition panel shows the sugars in each serving.
A sweetened cereal
Plain oats or an unsweetened cereal
Compare added sugars where the label lists them. A similar breakfast can have a different formulation.
A ready-to-heat meal
A simple meal using frozen vegetables, beans and a grain
Freezing is not the issue. Compare the meal’s ingredient list and sodium with the simpler ingredients you would use.
Frequently askedquestions
Everything you need to know about scanning your food with Berry Pure.
Which ingredients suggest a food is ultra-processed?
NOVA researchers point to food substances rarely used in home kitchens, such as hydrolysed protein, protein isolates and modified starch, and additives that change flavour, colour or texture. Check the full formulation; the clue is about processing, not proof that an ingredient is unsafe.
Does a long ingredient list mean a food is UPF?
No. Ingredient count alone does not classify a food. Look for the purpose of the ingredients and whether they are NOVA formulation markers. Then compare the nutrition panel when choosing between similar products.
Do natural flavours mean a food is unsafe?
No. Flavourings are a NOVA formulation clue, not a safety verdict. US labels may group some flavour ingredients under collective names, so the label does not always tell you every component. Consider the full product.
Is high-fructose corn syrup worse than sugar?
This guide does not rank sweeteners by harm. NOVA uses high-fructose corn syrup as an example of an industrial food substance; on a US pack, the added-sugars line helps you compare similar products.
Is MSG a NOVA Group 4 clue?
Yes, when added as a flavour enhancer. NOVA researchers list flavour enhancers among the additives used to identify ultra-processed formulations. A preservative is not automatically the same kind of clue. This classification does not tell you MSG is unsafe; read the full label and compare nutrition.
Can canned and frozen foods be good choices?
Yes. Canning and freezing preserve food; neither method alone makes it ultra-processed. Read added ingredients and compare sodium or sugars where relevant.
See what’s really
in your food
Scan your first label in seconds and start making cleaner choices across your whole kitchen.
Free to download. Subscription required for Premium.
Berry Pure Premium is a monthly or annual subscription. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase and automatically renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your App Store account settings.