Is it ultra-processed?
Menu

Is Makers mark Protein shake ultra-processed?

Protein shakes Sold in the United States

Pack of Makers mark 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:

  • 30 ingredients
  • 5 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

Water, Protein Blend (Milk Protein Concentrate, Milk Protein Isolate, Whey Protein, Calcium Caseinate), Cocoa, Sunflower Oil, Canola Oil, Inulin, Carrageenan, Cellulose Gel, Cellulose Gum, Salt, mono- and Diglycerides, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Cholecalciferol, Calcium Phosphate, Ferric Orthophosphate, Potassium Iodide, Potassium Phosphate, Magnesium Phosphate, Zinc Gluconate, Sodium Selenite, Copper Citrate, Manganese Sulfate, Chromium Chloride, Sodium Molybdate

Additives: E407 Carrageenan , E466 Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose , E471 Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids , E950 Acesulfame k , E955 Sucralose

As written on the pack

Water, Protein Blend (Milk Protein Concentrate, Milk Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Calcium Caseinate), Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Sunflower Oil and/or Canola Oil, Inulin, Carrageenan, Cellulose Gel, Cellulose Gum, Salt, Mono and Diglycerides, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Cholecalciferol, Calcium Phosphate, Ferric Orthophosphate, Potassium Iodide, Potassium Phosphate, Magnesium Phosphate, Zinc Gluconate, Sodium Selenite, Copper Citrate, Manganese Sulfate, Chromium Chloride, Sodium Molybdate

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.

  • E407 Carrageenan Carrageenan is a thickener and gelling agent extracted from red seaweed, used widely in dairy desserts, plant-based drinks and processed meats.
  • E466 Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose Carboxymethyl cellulose is a thickener made by chemically modifying cellulose from wood or cotton.
  • E471 Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids are made from fats and glycerol.
  • E950 Acesulfame k Acesulfame K is a synthetic sweetener about 200 times sweeter than sugar, often combined with aspartame or sucralose.
  • E955 Sucralose Sucralose is a sweetener made by chlorinating sugar.
  • Flavouring Flavourings are concentrated aroma preparations that add or intensify a taste.

Substances rarely used in home kitchens

Refined or extracted in factories, such as syrups made from starch or isolated proteins. The other hallmark of ultra-processed food.

  • Milk proteins Milk proteins are proteins separated from milk, such as caseinates and whey protein concentrates, added to adjust texture or raise protein content.
  • Vegetable fiber Isolated plant fibres, such as inulin, oat fibre or bamboo fibre, are extracted industrially and added to change texture or support "source of fibre" claims.
  • Cocoa An ingredient mostly produced industrially and rarely used in home kitchens.
2 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.
  • 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 140th. 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 0193968072544, last edited 5 June 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.