Is it ultra-processed?
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Is Sixstar 100% Whey Protein ultra-processed?

Protein powders Sold in the United States

Pack of Sixstar 100% Whey Protein

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:

  • 12 ingredients
  • 3 additives

Less processed protein powders

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

Whey protein concentrate whey protein isolate hydrolyzed whey protein maltodextrin cocoa, Natural and artificial flavors, soy and sunflower lecithin, salt gum blend (cellulose gum xanthan gum, carrageenan), calcium carbonate ascorbic acid, sucralose Acesulfame, potassium, zinc oxide, Cholecalciferol, which is vitamin D3

Additives: E322 Lecithins , E322i Lecithin , E415 Xanthan gum

Also detected, but not matched to one ingredient: E415 Xanthan gum.

As written on the pack

Whey protein concentrate whey protein isolate hydrolyzed whey protein maltodextrin cocoa (processed with alkali) Natural and artificial flavors, soy and/or sunflower lecithin, salt gum blend (cellulose gum xanthan gum, carrageenan) calcium carbonate ascorbic acid, sucralose Acesulfame - potassium, zinc oxide, Cholecalciferol - which is vitamin D3.

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.

  • E322 Lecithins Lecithins are fatty substances extracted mostly from soybeans, sunflower seeds or eggs, used as emulsifiers to keep fat and water mixed, for example in chocolate.
  • E415 Xanthan gum Xanthan gum is a thickener made by fermenting sugar with the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris.
  • 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.

  • Whey protein concentrate whey protein isolate hydrolyzed whey protein maltodextrin cocoa An ingredient mostly produced industrially and rarely used in home kitchens.

How the NOVA groups work

Among 149 protein powders

From least to most processed, this one ranks 54th. 95% of the protein powders 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 149 protein powders, least processed first

About this information

  • Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 0631656716726, last edited 27 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.