Ultra-processed foods quiz: Can you spot which everyday products make the list?

With studies finding that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) could be putting our health at risk and even shortening our lives, lots of us are trying to cut back on these popular convenience foods.

While there's no universally accepted definition of a UPF, an easy way to spot one when you're shopping is by checking the ingredients list on the label.

If you see things that you wouldn't use in home cooking (assuming you don't keep a jar of lecithin or E471 in your kitchen cupboards), you're likely holding a UPF.

If you want to get really specific about it though, the NOVA food classification system, external is a good place to start.

So which supermarket foods count as ultra-processed – and are all UPFs really as bad as they're made out to be? Put your knowledge to the test in our quiz.

Disclaimer: Some brands make less processed versions of foods that are usually classed as UPFs, but we've focused on the products most shoppers are likely to pick up in the supermarket

Cutting out UPFs from your diet completely isn't a realistic prospect, and there's likely no need to. They aren't all unhealthy and some even come with health benefits.

Originally published July 2025. Updated July 2026.

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