Is The Organic Protein Co. Organic Whey Protein Cacao & Maca ultra-processed?

400g Protein powders Sold in the United Kingdom

Yes, it's ultra-processed

1 Unprocessed
2 Kitchen staple
3 Processed
4 Ultra-processed

Signs of ultra-processing in its ingredients:

Milk proteins

5 ingredients
No additives

Less processed protein powders

Soy Protein Mince H&B 1 ingredient · no additives NOVA group 1
Almond Protein Powder Bob's Red Mill 1 ingredient · no additives NOVA group 1
Hemp Protein Powder Manitoba Harvest 1 ingredient · no additives NOVA group 1
Simple Plant Protein Powder Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Orgain 6 ingredients · no additives NOVA group 1

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 (ultra-processing marker) 69%, cacao powder 18%, coconut sugar (processing marker) 7.6%, maca 5%, Himalayan pink salt (processing marker) 0.4%

As written on the pack

whey protein concentrate (69%), cacao powder (18%), coconut sugar (7.6%), maca powder (5%), Himalayan pink salt (0.4%)

What makes it ultra-processed

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.

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.
Sugar Sugar refined from sugar cane or beet.

How the NOVA groups work

Among 150 protein powders

From least to most processed, this one ranks 13th. 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 150 protein powders, least processed first

About this information

Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 5060487820046, last edited 16 April 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.