Is Asda Mixed Beans ultra-processed?

400g Common beans Sold in the United Kingdom and Germany

Yes, it's ultra-processed

Signs of ultra-processing in its ingredients:

Less processed isn't automatically healthier, so compare the labels for what matters to you, such as sugar or salt.

Ultra-processing Processing signs are highlighted

Water, Pinto Beans 18%, Haricot Beans 17%, Black Turtle Beans 13%, Red Kidney Beans 12%, Firming Agent (ultra-processing marker) (Calcium Chloride)

Additives: E509 Calcium chloride

As written on the pack

Water, Pinto Beans (18%), Haricot Beans (17%) Black Turtle Beans (13%), Red Kidney Beans (12%), Firming Agent (Calcium Chloride).

Added to change how the food looks, feels or tastes, not to keep it safe. A hallmark of ultra-processed food.

Firming agent Firming agents keep fruit and vegetable tissue crisp or firm through processing and storage.

From least to most processed, this one ranks 133rd. 39% of the common beans here are ultra-processed.

Ranked by NOVA group, then by the number of ultra-processing signs, additives and ingredients. Our ordering, not part of NOVA.

Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 5054781874386, last edited 26 March 2026), available under the Open Database License. If something is wrong or the recipe has changed, you can correct it there.
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors, CC BY-SA 3.0.
The NOVA group is an automated estimate from crowdsourced data: a missing or mistyped ingredient can change it.
NOVA measures processing, not nutrition. For nutrition, Open Food Facts gives this product a Nutri-Score of A (from A, best, to E).
General information, not medical or dietary advice. Check the pack if you have an allergy.