Bulking agent

Bulking agent is one of the markers Open Food Facts uses to classify a food as ultra-processed (NOVA group 4).

What it is and why it counts

Bulking agents are substances which contribute to the volume of a foodstuff without contributing significantly to its available energy value.

Cosmetic additives

NOVA calls these additives "cosmetic": they change how a product looks, feels or tastes rather than keeping it safe to eat. Their presence is one of the two defining signs of an ultra-processed food.

Function

Bulking agent: Bulking agents are substances which contribute to the volume of a foodstuff without contributing significantly to its available energy value.

Functional class definitions from the EU food additives regulation, via Open Food Facts.

Where it turns up

Bulking agent appears in 86 of the 40,000 products on this site (0%).

Dietary supplements 18 of 1,145 products
Protein bars 17 of 426 products
Biscuits 8 of 1,514 products
Sugar-free chewing gum 5 of 76 products
Nougats 4 of 12 products
Breakfast biscuit 3 of 28 products

Products containing bulking agent

Showing the 60 most popular of 86.

How the NOVA classification works