Is Popcorn variety snack ultra-processed?

Popcorn Sold in the United States

Yes, it's ultra-processed

1 Unprocessed
2 Kitchen staple
3 Processed
4 Ultra-processed

Signs of ultra-processing in its ingredients:

Flavouring

7 ingredients
1 additive
Nutri-Score D

Less processed popcorn

100% Whole Grain Popping Corn Classic Yellow Great Value 1 ingredient · no additives NOVA group 1
Organic Microwave Popcorn, 3 Bag, 9 oz 365 1 ingredient · no additives NOVA group 1
Original Popcorn Skinny Pop 3 ingredients · no additives NOVA group 3
Original Popcorn Skinny Pop Organic 3 ingredients · no additives NOVA group 3

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

Popcorn, Sunflower Oil (processing marker), Natural Non-Dairy Cheddar Flavor, Salt (processing marker), Rice Flour, Natural Flavor (ultra-processing marker), Lactic Acid

Additives: E270 Lactic acid

As written on the pack

Popcorn, Sunflower Oil, Natural Non-Dairy Cheddar Flavor, Salt, Rice Flour, Natural Flavor, Lactic Acid

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.

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 188 popcorn

From least to most processed, this one ranks 103rd. 57% of the popcorn 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 188 popcorn, least processed first

About this information

Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 0816925021064, last edited 26 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.
NOVA measures processing, not nutrition. For nutrition, Open Food Facts gives this product a Nutri-Score of D (from A, best, to E).
General information, not medical or dietary advice. Check the pack if you have an allergy.