Is it ultra-processed?
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Is Whitworths Indian lentil dhal ultra-processed?

Pulses Sold in the United Kingdom

Pack of Whitworths Indian lentil dhal

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:

  • 22 ingredients
  • No additives
  • Nutri-Score B

Less processed pulses

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

Lentils 76% (Water, Green Lentils, Black Lentils), Soya Protein, Coconut Cream, Tomato Puree, Onions, Herbs and Spices 1% (including Coriander, Ginger, Chilli), Vegetable Oil (Sunflower Oil, Rapeseed Oil), Glucose Syrup, Salt, Garlic Puree, Soya Sauce (Soya Beans, Wheat, Salt)

As written on the pack

Cooked Lentils (76%) (Water, Green Lentils, Black Lentils), Soya Protein Pieces. Coconut Cream, Tomato Puree, Onions, Herbs and Spices (1%) (including Coriander, Ginger, Chilli), Vegetable Oil (Sunflower Oil or Rapeseed Oil), Glucose Syrup, Salt, Garlic Puree, Soya Sauce (Soya Beans, Wheat, Salt). For allergens including cereals containing gluten see ingredients in bold.

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.

  • Glucose Glucose, usually listed as glucose syrup, is cheap, keeps products moist and stops sugar from crystallising.
  • Glucose syrup Glucose syrup is cheap, keeps products moist and stops sugar from crystallising.
4 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.
  • Vegetable oil Vegetable oils are pressed or extracted from seeds, nuts and fruits.
  • Sauce A prepared sauce used as an ingredient.

How the NOVA groups work

Among 377 pulses

From least to most processed, this one ranks 349th. 34% of the pulses 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 377 pulses, least processed first

About this information

  • Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 5000234052825, last edited 27 March 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.