What's really on the UK supermarket shelf

We found 344 products across the shop with protein in their name (bars, yoghurts, granolas, pizzas, breads) and an ultra-processed rating. 303 of them are NOVA group 4. A protein claim on the front tells you little about what is in the ingredients list. See high-protein yoghurts that aren't ultra-processed by turning on the filter in the app.

Of the 16,105 products with enough ingredient data to classify, 10,448 fall into NOVA group 4, the ultra-processed group. The most ultra-processed aisles: protein bars (95%), sausages (93%), biscuits (84%). The least: dried pastas (10%), butters (14%), houmous and hummus (19%).

Bars sold on health are among the most processed things in the shop. Only a handful of the 353 we checked avoid NOVA group 4, and 20% still get a red light for sugar. See the bars with the most protein per calorie.

66% of 2,057 biscuits carry a red sugar light (over 22.5g per 100g) and 58% list palm oil. Lowest-sugar biscuits.

28% of breads with an ingredients list include palm oil, usually as part of a vegetable oil blend in sliced loaves, rolls, naans and wraps. 67% are ultra-processed. Highest-fibre breads.

Red salt lights (over 1.5g per 100g) by aisle: bacon 91%, hams 75%, cheeses 58%, sausages 42%, pestos 38%. Lowest-salt bacon.

The typical cereal has 14.8g sugar per 100g and 14% are red for sugar, but the lowest have under 1g. Granola is no better on average: 16g. Lowest-sugar cereals.

Share listing palm oil: margarines and spreads 66%, biscuits 58%, protein bars 29%, breads 28%.