How processed is organic food?

NOVA sorts food by how much it has been processed, not by nutrients. Organic certification limits additives but does not stop a product being an industrial formulation — organic oat drinks with added oil and salt, or organic biscuits, still land in group 4.

1,136 classified products26% ultra-processed

1NOVAUnprocessed or minimally processed

Single foods or foods changed only by drying, milling, pasteurising, freezing or fermenting, with nothing added.

305 2NOVAProcessed culinary ingredients

Oils, butter, sugar, salt, vinegar and flours: ingredients pressed, refined or milled from group 1 foods for use in the kitchen.

97 3NOVAProcessed foods

Group 1 foods with salt, sugar or oil added — tinned vegetables, cheese, simple breads, preserved fruit.

442 4NOVAUltra-processed foods

Industrial formulations with ingredients rarely used at home: emulsifiers, flavourings, isolates, modified starches, sweeteners.

292

By category

Share of ultra-processed products (NOVA 4) in each category with at least 10 classified products.

Snacks18841%Sweet snacks17044%Cereal products1169%Beverages11425%Cocoa and chocolate products12639%Chocolates11141%Legume products9112%Desserts9552%Spreads9528%Breakfasts8235%Condiments7310%Seeds542%Dairy alternatives7332%Dark chocolates6629%Plant-based spreads5638%Yogurts6154%Vegetables based foods574%Sauces5110%Fruits based foods4321%Fats579%Milk substitutes5623%Plant milk alternatives5623%Meals4617%Meat alternatives4240%Breakfast cereals4115%Nut products3716%Confectioneries4457%Cereal grains234%Vegetable fats4210%Sweet spreads4055%Canned foods375%Pastas254%Vegetable oils383%Sweeteners359%Legumes290%Vegetables313%Biscuits and cakes3241%Breads3540%Dried products3017%Canned plant-based foods303%Cheeses244%Farming products230%Tofu2544%Fruits195%Milks100%Biscuits2548%Legume seeds230%Fermented dairy desserts with fruits2588%Pulses230%Bars2458%Dried plant-based foods2010%Fermented drinks1839%Fruit yogurts2387%Oilseed purees180%Salted spreads1718%Tomatoes and their products200%Dietary supplements1164%Fruit based beverages1513%Canned vegetables186%Dips1513%Juices and nectars147%Baby foods1926%Cereal based drinks2114%Hummus147%Meat analogues1735%Milk chocolates1867%Fruit and vegetable preserves1794%Fruit juices138%Soups1911%Coconut oils186%Fruit and fruit seed oils186%Dried fruits110%Legume butters150%Nuts1010%Peanut butters150%Bee products150%Canned legumes140%Chocolate candies1741%Flakes1315%Hot beverages1040%Nut butters120%Olive tree products140%Spreadable fats1712%Tea based beverages1136%Honeys150%Jams1493%Kombuchas1030%Tomatoes120%Cereal flakes128%Dark chocolate bar1520%Greek style yogurts1233%Oat based drinks1513%Olive oils130%Salty snacks1217%Syrups1010%Animal fats140%Appetizers1217%Butters140%Cow cheeses100%Dairy spreads140%Extra virgin olive oils120%Flours110%Frozen foods1225%Milkfat140%Plant-based creams1242%Plant-based creams for cooking1242%Rolled flakes110%Dried products to be rehydrated1242%Mueslis119%Tomato sauces110%Broths1258%Cereal bars1060%Coconut milks and creams1030%Nut based drinks1242%Rolled oats100%Vegetable soups110%Puddings1060%Sugars1010%Almond based drinks1050%Berry jams10100%Vinegars100%

Source: Open Food Facts contributorsOpen Database LicenceRecipes change — check the pack