Is it ultra-processed?
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Is Rustlers Bbq Rib ultra-processed?

157 g Microwave meals Sold in the United Kingdom

Pack of Rustlers Bbq Rib

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:

  • 45 ingredients
  • 6 additives
  • Nutri-Score D

Less processed microwave meals

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

BBQ Pork Rib 48% (Pork, Water, Soya Protein, e325, Maltodextrin, Sugar, Salt, e451, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Smoke Flavouring, Yeast Extract, Spice, Pork Fat, Extracts of Rosemary, Sunflower Oil), Sesame Seeded Bun (Wheat Flour (with calcium, iron, niacin, thiamin), Water, Sugar, Sesame Seeds, Rapeseed Oil, Yeast, Salt, Wheat Gluten, e472e, e282, e300), BBQ Sauce (Tomato Puree, Sugar, Molasses, Spirit Vinegar, Cornflour, Salt, Flavouring, Water, Spices, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder)

Additives: E282 Calcium propionate , E300 Ascorbic acid , E325 Sodium lactate , E392 Extracts of rosemary , E451 Triphosphates , E472e Mono- and diacetyltartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids

As written on the pack

BBQ Pork Rib (48%) [Pork, Water, Soya Protein, Acidity Regulator: E325; Maltodextrin, Sugar, Salt, Stabiliser: E451; Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Smoke Flavouring, Yeast Extract, Spice, Pork Fat, Extracts of Rosemary, Sunflower Oil]. Sesame Seeded Bun [Wheat Flour (with calcium, iron, niacin & thiamin), Water, Sugar, Sesame Seeds, Rapeseed Oil, Yeast, Salt, Wheat Gluten, Emulsifier: E472e; Preservative: E282; Antioxidant: E300]. BBQ Sauce [Tomato Puree, Sugar, Molasses, Spirit Vinegar, Cornflour, Salt, Flavouring, Smoked Water, Spices, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder].

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.

  • E325 Sodium lactate Antioxidants are substances which prolong the shelf-life of foods by protecting them against deterioration caused by oxidation, such as fat rancidity and colour changes.
  • E451 Triphosphates Emulsifiers are substances which make it possible to form or maintain a homogenous mixture of two or more immiscible phases such as oil and water in a foodstuff.
  • E472e Mono- and diacetyltartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids Emulsifiers are substances which make it possible to form or maintain a homogenous mixture of two or more immiscible phases such as oil and water in a foodstuff.
  • 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.

  • Gluten Wheat gluten, sold as "vital wheat gluten", is the protein washed out of wheat flour.
  • Maltodextrin Maltodextrin is a white powder made by partly breaking down starch.
5 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.

  • Meals Products in the category "Meals" are at least group 3.
  • Salt Salt, added for taste and preservation.
  • Sugar Sugar refined from sugar cane or beet.
  • Vegetable oil Vegetable oils are pressed or extracted from seeds, nuts and fruits.
  • Sandwiches Products in the category "Sandwiches" are at least group 3.

How the NOVA groups work

Among 350 microwave meals

From least to most processed, this one ranks 320th. 72% of the microwave meals 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 350 microwave meals, least processed first

About this information

  • Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 5099556017773, last edited 19 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.
  • 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.