Is it ultra-processed?
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Is Idahoan Perfect Mash Butter and Herb ultra-processed?

109 g Mashed potatoes Sold in the United Kingdom

Pack of Idahoan Perfect Mash Butter and Herb

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:

  • 20 ingredients
  • 3 additives
  • Nutri-Score C

Less processed mashed potatoes

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

Idaho Potatoes 74%, Vegetable O (Coconut Sunflower, Rapeseed), Milk, Salt, Sugar Maltodextrin, Skimmed Milk Powder, Cream, Flavourings, Onion, Herbs 1%, Preservatives (Diphosphates, Sodium Bisulphite), Spice Extract Antioxidants (Tocopherol-rich extract, Citric Acid), see ingredients in bold STORAGE (Store in a dry place at room temperature 0 029700 921460 87146-A 202444)

Additives: E222 Sodium bisulphite , E306 Tocopherol-rich extract , E450 Diphosphates

As written on the pack

Idaho Potatoes (74%). Vegetable O (Coconut Sunflower, Rapeseed), Milk Solids, Salt, Sugar Maltodextrin, Skimmed Milk Powder, Cream (Milk). Flavourings, Onion Powder, Herbs (1%). Preservatives (Diphosphates, Sodium Bisulphite (Sulphites)). Spice Extract Antioxidants (Tocopherol-rich extract, Citric Acid) ALLERGY ADVICE: For allergens, see ingredients in bold SUITABLE FOR VEGETARIANS GLUTEN FREE STORAGE: Store in a dry place at room temperature 0 029700 921460 87146-A 202444

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.

  • E450 Diphosphates Diphosphates are phosphate salts used as raising agents in baking powder, and to hold water in processed meats and cheese.
  • Flavouring Flavourings are concentrated aroma preparations that add or intensify a taste.
4 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.

  • Meals Products in the category "Meals" are at least group 3.
  • Preservative Preservatives slow spoilage by microbes.
  • Salt Salt, added for taste and preservation.
  • Milk powder Milk powder is milk with the water evaporated off: a preserved form of a whole food rather than an industrial extract.

How the NOVA groups work

Among 41 mashed potatoes

From least to most processed, this one ranks 22nd. 63% of the mashed potatoes 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 41 mashed potatoes, least processed first

About this information

  • Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 0029700921460, last edited 27 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 C (from A, best, to E).
  • General information, not medical or dietary advice. Check the pack if you have an allergy.