Is Lemons ultra-processed?

Lemons Sold in the United Kingdom

Pack of Lemons

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:

  • 4 ingredients
  • 2 additives

Less processed lemons

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

lemon, imazalil, waxed e903, e904 (ultra-processing marker)

Additives: E903 Carnauba wax , E904 Shellac

Also detected, but not matched to one ingredient: E903 Carnauba wax.

As written on the pack

lemon, imazalil, waxed e903, e904

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.

  • E903 Carnauba wax Carnauba wax comes from the leaves of a Brazilian palm and gives sweets and coated chocolates their shine.
  • E904 Shellac Shellac is a resin secreted by lac insects, used as a glazing agent on sweets, coated chocolates and fruit.

How the NOVA groups work

Among 13 lemons

From least to most processed, this one ranks 12th. 23% of the lemons 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 13 lemons, least processed first

About this information

  • Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 4056489306061, last edited 20 May 2024), 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.