Is PhD Smart protein Plant protein (chocolate cookie) ultra-processed?

500 g Protein shakes 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
E415 Xanthan gum
E955 Sucralose

17 ingredients
2 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

High Protein Powder with Sweetener, Pea Protein, Soya Protein, Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder, Flavouring (ultra-processing marker), Lactospore™ (Bacillus Coagulans), Iron Oxide, Zinc Oxide, vitamins, vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, Sodium Chloride, Xanthan Gum (ultra-processing marker), Sucralose (ultra-processing marker), see ingredients listed in bold

Additives: E415 Xanthan gum , E955 Sucralose

As written on the pack

High Protein Powder with Sweetener. Pea Protein, Soya Protein, Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder, Flavouring, Lactospore™ (Bacillus Coagulans), Iron Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, Sodium Chloride, Stabiliser (Xanthan Gum), Sweetener (Sucralose). For allergens, see ingredients listed in bold. May also contain: Milk, Wheat, Egg and Cereals containing gluten.

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.

E415 Xanthan gum Xanthan gum is a thickener made by fermenting sugar with the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris.
E955 Sucralose Sucralose is a sweetener made by chlorinating sugar.
Flavouring Flavourings are concentrated aroma preparations that add or intensify a taste.

How the NOVA groups work

Among 158 protein shakes

From least to most processed, this one ranks 24th. 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 158 protein shakes, least processed first

About this information

Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 5060578322091, last edited 30 September 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.