Is it ultra-processed?
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Is Starbucks Protein Drink ultra-processed?

330ml Coffee drinks Sold in the United Kingdom

Pack of Starbucks Protein Drink

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:

  • 9 ingredients
  • 2 additives
  • Nutri-Score B

Less processed coffee drinks

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

fat milk 1.2%, Starbucks Arabica coffee coffee extract 20.9%, milk protein 3.8%, stabilisers (gellan gum carrageenan), acidity regulator, sodium citrate, potassium carbonate Sweetener (acesulfame)

Additives: E331 Sodium citrates , E407 Carrageenan

Also detected, but not matched to one ingredient: E407 Carrageenan.

As written on the pack

1.2% fat milk (79%), Starbucks Arabica coffee coffee extract) (20.9%) milk protein powder (3.8%), stabilisers (gellan gum carrageenan), acidity regulator (sodium citrate, potassium carbonate Sweetener (acesulfame).

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.

  • E407 Carrageenan Carrageenan is a thickener and gelling agent extracted from red seaweed, used widely in dairy desserts, plant-based drinks and processed meats.

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.

  • Milk proteins Milk proteins are proteins separated from milk, such as caseinates and whey protein concentrates, added to adjust texture or raise protein content.

How the NOVA groups work

Among 97 coffee drinks

From least to most processed, this one ranks 46th. 72% of the coffee drinks 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 97 coffee drinks, least processed first

About this information

  • Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 5711953184871, last edited 28 July 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.