Blog
The Cull blog
Ultra-processed food, the NOVA classification and honest food scoring — explained for UK shoppers, without the hype. 47 posts, every claim sourced.
Guides & analysis
Data23 July 2026
Ultra-Processed Food in the UK: The Numbers
How much of the UK diet is ultra-processed? The verified statistics — adult and adolescent UPF intake, what SACN actually says, and how the UK compares.
Comparisons23 July 2026
Best Yuka Alternatives for UK Shoppers (2026)
Honest alternatives to Yuka for UK food shopping — including free options, what each app actually scores, and where Yuka still wins.
Guides23 July 2026
How to Spot Ultra-Processed Food on the Label
The practical guide to identifying UPF in a UK supermarket: which ingredients are genuine NOVA 4 markers, which are not, and the shortcuts that mislead.
Guides23 July 2026
UPF vs Processed Food: The Difference That Matters
Processed is not the same as ultra-processed. Where NOVA draws the line between group 3 and group 4 — with UK examples on each side.
Company1 March 2026
Why We Built Cull
Most food apps only score nutrition. They ignore processing and additive safety entirely. Cull scores all three — built for the UK, free to use.
Shopping lists
Real UK products with no additives, each checked against the live database. Every product links to its own score.
Fresh Soup With No Additives: UK Supermarket List
Chilled UK soups whose ingredient lists read like a recipe — vegetables, stock, cream, seasoning. All NOVA 3, none ultra-processed, scored 57 to 72.
Houmous With No Additives: UK Supermarket List
Chickpeas, tahini, oil, lemon, garlic, salt. UK houmous tubs with nothing else on the label, checked against the live database and scored 44 to 72.
Cheese With No Additives: Block vs Slice in UK Supermarkets
Real block cheese almost never contains additives and is NOVA 3. Processed slices are a different product entirely. The verified list, and why the scores are still low.
Peanut Butter With No Additives (and No Palm Oil): UK List
UK peanut butters made from nothing but peanuts, checked against the live database — and why adding a pinch of salt moves a jar from NOVA 1 to NOVA 3.
Crisps With No Additives: UK Supermarket List
Plenty of UK crisps are just potato, oil and salt with no additives at all. Here they are, scored — including why they still score badly, and why that is fair.
Jarred Pasta Sauce With No Additives: UK List
Jarred tomato sauce is not automatically ultra-processed. UK sauces with no additives, scored 44 to 72, each checked against the live database.
UK Supermarket Bread With No Additives (Checked July 2026)
Real UK breads with no additives on the label, each checked against the live database — plus why every white loaf still lists calcium carbonate, iron, niacin and thiamin.
Natural Yoghurt With No Additives: UK Supermarket List
UK yoghurts whose ingredient list is milk and cultures, nothing else. All NOVA 1 — and a reminder that a clean list still says nothing about the fat and sugar.
Breakfast Cereal With No Additives: What UK Shelves Actually Offer
Additive-free UK cereals, scored. Includes the one that has no additives at all and still scores 28 — because additive-free and healthy are not the same claim.
Additives & E numbers
Start with the additives guide for which classes signal ultra-processing and which do not.
What Is E471? Mono- and Diglycerides, Explained
E471 is the emulsifier in most supermarket bread, ice cream and margarine. What it is, whether it is plant or animal derived, and why it usually — but not always — signals ultra-processing.
Is Aspartame Bad for You? What the Assessments Say
IARC called aspartame possibly carcinogenic in 2023 and the same week JECFA left the safe intake unchanged. Both are true. What the two findings actually mean, without the headline.
What Is Citric Acid (E330)? And Why It Is Not a UPF Marker
Citric acid is the most-feared harmless ingredient on UK labels. What it does, where it comes from, and why an additive scanner that flags it is telling you the wrong thing.
Why Do Some Food Colours Carry a Warning Label?
Six colours must be labelled "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children" in the UK. Which six, what the wording means, and what it does not.
Is it ultra-processed? — 28 foods checked
- Is Sourdough Ultra-Processed? Real vs Sourfaux
- Is Peanut Butter Ultra-Processed?
- Is Granola Ultra-Processed? The Health-Halo Test
- Is Porridge Ultra-Processed? Oats from NOVA 1 to 4
- Is Quorn Ultra-Processed? Mycoprotein, Checked
- Is Tofu Ultra-Processed? (Usually Not)
- Are Crisps Ultra-Processed? Plain vs Flavoured
- Are Sausages and Bacon Ultra-Processed?
- Are Fizzy Drinks Ultra-Processed? (Diet Ones Too)
- Are Ready Meals Ultra-Processed? A UK Guide
- Are Frozen Vegetables Ultra-Processed? (No)
- Is Orange Juice Ultra-Processed? Concentrate, Checked
- Is Ice Cream Ultra-Processed? Tubs vs Homemade
- Are Instant Noodles Ultra-Processed?
- Is Jarred Pasta Sauce Ultra-Processed?
- Are Fish Fingers Ultra-Processed? Nuggets Too
- Is Soya Milk Ultra-Processed? (Almond Too)
- Are Protein Bars Ultra-Processed? (Usually)
- Is Bread Ultra-Processed? A UK Guide
- Is Oat Milk Ultra-Processed?
- Is Protein Powder Ultra-Processed?
- Is Hummus Ultra-Processed? (Houmous, Checked)
- Is Cheese Ultra-Processed?
- Is Breakfast Cereal Ultra-Processed?
- Is Yoghurt Ultra-Processed?
- Are Baked Beans Ultra-Processed?
- Is Dark Chocolate Ultra-Processed?
- Is Plant-Based Meat Ultra-Processed?