Is it ultra-processed?
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Is McCain Lightly Spiced Wedges ultra-processed?

650g Frozen potatoes Sold in the United Kingdom

Pack of McCain Lightly Spiced Wedges

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:

  • 17 ingredients
  • 1 additive
  • Nutri-Score B

Less processed frozen 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

Potatoes 89%, Batter (Wheat Flour (Calcium, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Wheat Starch, Salt, Garlic Powder, Spices, Onion Powder, Tomato Powder, Oregano, Flavouring, Paprika Extract), Sunflower Oil 5%

Additives: E160c Paprika extract

As written on the pack

Potatoes 89%, Batter (Wheat Flour (Calcium, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Wheat Starch, Salt, Garlic Powder, Spices, Onion Powder, Tomato Powder, Oregano, Flavouring, Colour (Paprika Extract)), Sunflower Oil 5%.

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.

  • E160c Paprika extract Paprika extract is a red-orange colour extracted from paprika peppers.
  • Flavouring Flavourings are concentrated aroma preparations that add or intensify a taste.
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 22 frozen potatoes

From least to most processed, this one ranks 12th. 68% of the frozen 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 22 frozen potatoes, least processed first

About this information

  • Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 5010228005218, last edited 15 August 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 B (from A, best, to E).
  • General information, not medical or dietary advice. Check the pack if you have an allergy.