Is Marks & Spencer M&S Defence Citrus, Manuka Honey, Termeric and Ginger Tea Bags ultra-processed?

40g Tea bags Sold in the United Kingdom

Yes, it's ultra-processed

1 Unprocessed
2 Kitchen staple
3 Processed
4 Ultra-processed

Signs of ultra-processing in its ingredients:

Flavouring

14 ingredients
No additives

Less processed tea bags

Three ginger organic tea Pukka 5 ingredients · no additives NOVA group 1
Pure Green Tea 50 Tea Bags Tetley 1 ingredient · no additives NOVA group 1
Yorkshire Tea Decaf 80 Tea Bags Taylors of Harrogate 1 ingredient · no additives NOVA group 1
Nasals Chai deliciously authentic spiced tea Tea India 7 ingredients · no additives NOVA group 1

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

Flavourings (ultra-processing marker) (orange, lemon), Apple, Turmeric 15%, Ginger Root 11%, Orange peel 11%, Lemon peel 10%, Manuka honey (processing marker), cinnamon (cassia), Black pepper 1.5%, Vitamin C 1%, Flavouring (ultra-processing marker)

As written on the pack

Flavourings (orange, lemon) . Apple . Turmeric (15%) . Ginger Root (11%) . Orange peel (11%) . Lemon peel (10%) . Dried Manuka honey . cinnamon (cassia) . Black pepper (1.5%) . Vitamin C (1%) . Flavouring

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.

Flavouring Flavourings are concentrated aroma preparations that add or intensify a taste.

1 ingredient that would only make it processed

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

Honey Honey, used as a sweetener.

How the NOVA groups work

Among 86 tea bags

From least to most processed, this one ranks 80th. 36% of the tea bags 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 86 tea bags, least processed first

About this information

Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 29368327, last edited 3 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.