Is it ultra-processed?
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Is Huel Protein shake ultra-processed?

1 pouch Protein shakes Sold in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands

Pack of Huel Protein shake

Yes, it's ultra-processed

  1. 1 Unprocessed
  2. 2 Kitchen staple
  3. 3 Processed
  4. 4 Ultra-processed

Signs of ultra-processing in its ingredients:

  • 54 ingredients
  • 3 additives

Less processed protein shakes

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

Ingredients

Ultra-processing Processing signs are highlighted

Pea Protein, Faba Bean Protein, Natural Flavourings, Hemp Seed Protein Powder, L-Leucine, Micronutrient Blend, Minerals (Potassium (as Potassium Citrate, Potassium Chloride), Calcium (as Calcium Carbonate), Magnesium (as Magnesium Oxide), Iodine (as Potassium Iodide)), Corn Starch, Vitamins (Vitamin C (as L-Ascorbic Acid), Vitamin E (as D-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate), Niacin (as Niacinamide), Vitamin A (as Retinyl Acetate), Vitamin K (K2, as Menaquinone-7), Pantothenic Acid (as Calcium D-Pantothenate), Vitamin D (D3, as Plant-Derived Cholecalciferol), Vitamin B12 (as Cyanocobalamin), Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Vitamin B2 (as Riboflavin), Vitamin B1 (as Thiamine Mononitrate), Folate (as Calcium L-Methylfolate)), L-Lysine, Soluble Vegetable Fibre (Chicory, Corn), L-Methionine, Stabiliser (Xanthan Gum), Flaxseed Oil, Sweetener (Sucralose)

Additives: E415 Xanthan gum , E641 Leucine , E955 Sucralose

As written on the pack

Pea Protein, Faba Bean Protein, Natural Flavourings, Hemp Seed Protein Powder, L-Leucine, Micronutrient Blend (Minerals (Potassium (as Potassium Citrate, Potassium Chloride), Calcium (as Calcium Carbonate), Magnesium (as Magnesium Oxide), Iodine (as Potassium Iodide)), Corn Starch, Vitamins (Vitamin C (as L-Ascorbic Acid), Vitamin E (as D-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate), Niacin (as Niacinamide), Vitamin A (as Retinyl Acetate), Vitamin K (K2, as Menaquinone-7), Pantothenic Acid (as Calcium D-Pantothenate), Vitamin D (D3, as Plant-Derived Cholecalciferol), Vitamin B12 (as Cyanocobalamin), Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Vitamin B2 (as Riboflavin), Vitamin B1 (as Thiamine Mononitrate), Folate (as Calcium L-Methylfolate))), L-Lysine, Soluble Vegetable Fibre (Chicory, Corn), L-Methionine, Stabiliser: Xanthan Gum, Flaxseed Oil Powder, Sweetener: Sucralose.

What makes it ultra-processed

Cosmetic additives

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

  • E415 Xanthan gum Xanthan gum is a thickener made by fermenting sugar with the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris.
  • E641 Leucine A food additive authorised for industrial food production.
  • E955 Sucralose Sucralose is a sweetener made by chlorinating sugar.
  • Flavouring Flavourings are concentrated aroma preparations that add or intensify a taste.
  • Sweetener Sweeteners give sweetness with few or no calories, many at hundreds of times the strength of sugar.
3 ingredients that would only make it processed

Kitchen staples like sugar, salt and oil. On their own they make a food processed, not ultra-processed.

  • Salt Salt, added for taste and preservation.
  • Starch Starch extracted from cereals or potatoes, used to thicken.
  • Vegetable oil Vegetable oils are pressed or extracted from seeds, nuts and fruits.

How the NOVA groups work

Among 157 protein shakes

From least to most processed, this one ranks 54th. 97% of the protein shakes 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.

All 157 protein shakes, least processed first

About this information

  • Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 5060925290615, last edited 2 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.