Understanding Ultra-Processed Foods and the NOVA Classification
The NOVA classification system, developed by researchers in Brazil, categorizes foods based on the nature, extent, and purpose of their industrial processing. This system offers a clearer picture than simply labeling a food as 'processed.'
- Group 1: Unprocessed or Minimally Processed Foods. These are natural foods altered only to make them safe or suitable for storage, such as fresh fruits, nuts, and dried seeds.
- Group 2: Processed Culinary Ingredients. Substances like oils, sugars, and flour, derived directly from Group 1 foods.
- Group 3: Processed Foods. Simple combinations of Group 1 and 2 ingredients, like bread made from flour, water, and salt.
- Group 4: Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs). Industrial formulations that go beyond simple processing. They typically include ingredients not commonly used in home cooking, such as flavors, colors, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and texturizers. These are designed to be convenient, hyper-palatable, and have long shelf lives.
Deconstructing Graze's Ingredient Lists
Graze's marketing often emphasizes natural ingredients and health benefits, but the level of processing varies significantly across their product range. For example, a simple nut punnet might be considered minimally processed (Group 1). However, many of their more popular, flavored snacks and flapjacks fall squarely into the ultra-processed category (Group 4) due to their complex ingredient formulations.
Let's take a look at the ingredients of some specific Graze products to illustrate this:
- Smoky Barbecue Crunch: The ingredients list for this product includes roasted coated peas (with corn starch, modified corn starch, and sunflower oil), BBQ seasoning (with yeast extract, natural flavoring, maltodextrin, and citric acid), along with other refined starches and oils. The inclusion of isolated starches, natural flavorings, and yeast extract—ingredients not typically found in a home kitchen—makes this product ultra-processed.
- Peanut Butter Oat Boosts Flapjack: This snack contains oats, chicory root fibre, vegetable oils (rapeseed, palm), golden syrup, liquid sugar, humectant (glycerine), modified starch, emulsifier (soya lecithin), natural flavouring, and stabilizer (xanthan gum). The presence of modified starch, emulsifiers, and humectants, designed for texture and extended shelf life, clearly classifies this as a UPF.
The Ultra-Processed Paradox: Health Halo vs. Reality
Companies like Graze often cultivate a “health halo” around their products by highlighting positive attributes like high fiber or plant protein, or mentioning that they use “simple” or “nothing artificial” ingredients. This can create confusion for consumers who are actively trying to reduce their intake of ultra-processed foods. While the source of the ingredients might be natural (e.g., fruit and oats), the process used to create the final product—involving industrial-scale refinement and the addition of multiple processing aids—is what defines it as ultra-processed.
How to Identify an Ultra-Processed Graze Snack
To make an informed decision, look beyond the marketing claims and check the ingredient list. Common indicators that a Graze snack is ultra-processed include:
- Long ingredient list: Snacks with many ingredients are more likely to be ultra-processed.
- Industrial additives: Ingredients like maltodextrin, lecithin, and humectants are clear signs of industrial formulation.
- Natural and artificial flavorings: While Graze claims to use only natural flavorings, these are still industrial components designed to enhance taste.
- Refined ingredients: Look for starches, flours, and isolated protein sources derived from whole foods.
Graze Product Processing Comparison
| Feature | Simple Nut Punnets | Oat Boost Flapjacks | Crunchy Flavored Snacks |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOVA Classification | Group 1 (Minimally Processed) | Group 4 (Ultra-Processed) | Group 4 (Ultra-Processed) |
| Core Ingredients | Whole nuts, dried fruits | Oats, chicory root fibre, syrup, oil | Legumes, corn, starch, oil |
| Processing Aids | Minimal, possibly oil/salt | Emulsifiers, humectants, stabilizers | Maltodextrin, flavorings, citric acid |
| Typical Ingredient Count | Low (under 5) | Medium (10-15+) | Medium to High (15+) |
| Industrial Flavoring | None | Yes, 'natural flavouring' | Yes, 'natural flavouring' and yeast extract |
| Added Sugars | Very low/none | Yes (golden syrup, liquid sugar) | Yes (sugar in seasoning mixes) |
The Takeaway
Ultimately, whether a Graze snack is ultra-processed depends on the specific product. While the company provides options that are less processed, a significant portion of its catalogue, especially the flavored and baked items, falls into the ultra-processed category due to the industrial ingredients and processes involved. Consumers should not be swayed by health-focused marketing alone but should scrutinize ingredient lists to make truly informed choices about their food. The key distinction lies in the complexity of the formulation and the inclusion of additives that enhance texture, flavor, and shelf stability beyond what is achievable with basic culinary methods.
Conclusion
Graze's position on the ultra-processed spectrum is not a simple yes or no. The brand’s healthier image is supported by some of its minimally processed options, such as simple nut and seed mixes. However, the inclusion of processed culinary ingredients, flavor enhancers, and stabilizers in products like their flapjacks and crunchy flavored snacks places them firmly within the ultra-processed food group. This nuanced reality highlights the importance of reading labels carefully and understanding the NOVA classification system to make choices that align with a whole-foods-focused diet. It is a reminder that marketing can be selective, and the true nature of a packaged food is found in its list of ingredients.
