Is it ultra-processed?
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Is Tesco Protein Bites ultra-processed?

Protein bars Sold in the United Kingdom

Pack of Tesco Protein Bites

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:

  • 13 ingredients
  • No additives

Less processed protein bars

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

Date Paste, Almond Paste, 20 14%, Chicory Fibre, Soya St Protein Isolate, Freeze Dried R 0.8%, Flavouring, Tapioca Stabiliser, Calcium Carbonate Allergy Advice For allergens, see ingredients in bold Also, Caution This product may occasionall contain small fragments of shell, Warning Not suitable for small childre who can choke on nuts, storage

As written on the pack

Flour Date Paste, Almond Paste (20 (14%), Chicory Fibre, Soya St Protein Isolate, Freeze Dried R (0.8%), Flavouring. Tapioca Stabiliser (Calcium Carbonate Allergy Advice For allergens, see ingredients in bold Also, may contain peanuts and other and milk. Suitable for vegetarians. Gluten Free Caution This product may occasionall contain small fragments of shell. Warning Not suitable for small childre who can choke on nuts. STORAGE

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.

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.

  • Vegetable fiber Isolated plant fibres, such as inulin, oat fibre or bamboo fibre, are extracted industrially and added to change texture or support "source of fibre" claims.

How the NOVA groups work

Among 426 protein bars

From least to most processed, this one ranks 61st. 93% of the protein bars 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 426 protein bars, least processed first

About this information

  • Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 5059697751851, last edited 11 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.
  • General information, not medical or dietary advice. Check the pack if you have an allergy.