If you've ever scanned a product with IngredScan, you'll have seen a NOVA score — a number from 1 to 4 that tells you how processed a food is. But what does it actually mean, and why should you care?
The Origins of NOVA
The NOVA classification system was developed by researchers at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, led by Professor Carlos Monteiro. First published in 2009 and refined over the following years, it has become the most widely used framework for categorising foods by their degree of processing.
Unlike traditional nutritional analysis that focuses on individual nutrients (fat, sugar, salt), NOVA looks at what has been done to the food before it reaches you. This is important because research increasingly suggests that the level of processing matters as much as — or even more than — the individual nutrient content.
NOVA 1: Unprocessed or Minimally Processed Foods
These are foods in their natural state, or altered only by removal of inedible parts, drying, crushing, grinding, pasteurisation, refrigeration, or freezing. No substances are added.
UK examples: fresh apples from Tesco, free-range eggs, plain porridge oats, bagged spinach, fresh chicken breast, whole milk, frozen peas, plain rice.
These foods form the foundation of a healthy diet. They contain all their natural nutrients and fibre, with nothing added or removed beyond basic preparation.
NOVA 2: Processed Culinary Ingredients
These are substances extracted from NOVA 1 foods through processes like pressing, refining, grinding, or milling. They are rarely eaten on their own — they're used to prepare, season, and cook NOVA 1 foods.
UK examples: extra virgin olive oil, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, table salt, plain flour, white vinegar, honey.
You won't often scan these with IngredScan, as they're typically ingredients rather than finished products. They're neutral in the NOVA system — it's what they're combined with that matters.
NOVA 3: Processed Foods
These are relatively simple products made by adding NOVA 2 ingredients (salt, oil, sugar) to NOVA 1 foods. They typically have 2-3 ingredients and are recognisable versions of the original food.
UK examples: tinned baked beans (basic recipe), cheddar cheese, smoked salmon, freshly baked sourdough bread, tinned sardines in olive oil, salted nuts, pickled onions.
The key distinction from NOVA 4 is simplicity. Processed foods are modified versions of real foods, not industrial formulations.
NOVA 4: Ultra-Processed Foods (UPF)
This is the category that has attracted the most attention — and concern. Ultra-processed foods are industrial formulations typically made from five or more ingredients, many of which you wouldn't find in a home kitchen.
Look for ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, modified starches, protein isolates, emulsifiers (like polysorbate 80 or carboxymethylcellulose), flavour enhancers (like monosodium glutamate), artificial sweeteners, and colours.
UK examples: most breakfast cereals (Coco Pops, Frosties), soft drinks (Coca-Cola, Fanta), packaged biscuits (Digestives, Hobnobs), crisps (Walkers, Pringles), instant noodles (Pot Noodle), chicken nuggets, most ready meals, sliced white bread (Hovis, Warburtons), flavoured yoghurts.
According to a 2024 study published in the BMJ, the UK has one of the highest rates of ultra-processed food consumption in Europe, with UPF making up approximately 57% of calories in the average British diet.
Important Limitations of NOVA
Not all NOVA 4 foods are equal
A plain wholemeal loaf with one emulsifier and a packet of Pringles are both NOVA 4 — but they are very different foods. NOVA tells you about processing method, not overall healthfulness.
This is why IngredScan shows the processing level alongside a Quality Score — because neither measure alone tells the full story.
Some NOVA 4 foods are nutritionally necessary
Infant formula is classified as NOVA 4 because it contains industrially produced vitamins, minerals, and emulsifiers. But it's a regulated, medically appropriate product for babies who cannot be breastfed.
IngredScan does not show processing level scores for infant formula or medical nutritional products for this reason.
NOVA scores can be inferred, not verified
Open Food Facts, the database IngredScan uses, assigns NOVA scores based on community review. Some products have verified NOVA scores; others have estimated scores based on ingredient analysis.
When a score is estimated rather than verified, IngredScan shows this clearly so you know the confidence level of the information you're seeing.
Why NOVA Matters
A growing body of peer-reviewed research has linked high consumption of ultra-processed foods to various health outcomes. A 2023 umbrella review in the BMJ examining 45 pooled analyses found associations between higher UPF consumption and adverse health outcomes including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and poor mental health.
However, it's important to note that not all NOVA 4 foods are equal. A wholemeal bread with added emulsifiers is very different from a pack of crisps, even though both are technically NOVA 4. This is why IngredScan uses the NOVA score alongside our Quality Score — to give you a more complete picture.
How IngredScan Uses NOVA
When you scan a product, IngredScan determines its NOVA classification by analysing the ingredient list. We look for marker ingredients — substances that are characteristic of ultra-processing, such as emulsifiers, flavour enhancers, and hydrogenated fats.
The NOVA score is displayed prominently on every scan result, alongside our Quality Score which factors in nutritional content, additive concerns, and other data points. Together, they give you a quick, honest assessment of what you're about to eat.
Remember: NOVA is a tool for awareness, not a rigid rulebook. The goal isn't to eliminate all processed food — it's to help you make more informed choices about what you eat regularly.