Is Foster Clark's VANILLA Culinary Essence ultra-processed?

Vanilla extract Sold in the United Kingdom

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

Carrier (Propylene Glycol e1520), Water, Artificial Vanilla Flavouring, Colour (ultra-processing marker) (Sulfite Ammonia e150d)

Additives: E150d Sulphite ammonia caramel , E1520 Propylene Glycol

Also detected, but not matched to one ingredient: E150d Sulphite ammonia caramel.

As written on the pack

Carrier (Propylene Glycol E1520), Water, Artificial Vanilla Flavouring, Colour (Sulfite Ammonia Caramel E150d)

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

E150d Sulphite ammonia caramel Sulphite ammonia caramel is the dark brown colour in colas and many sauces, made by heating sugars with sulphite and ammonia compounds.
Colour Colours are added to restore colour lost in processing or to make a product look more appealing.

From least to most processed, this one ranks 14th. 50% of the vanilla extract 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 5352101434501, last edited 27 May 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.
General information, not medical or dietary advice. Check the pack if you have an allergy.