Is Hemp Seeds Ultra Processed?
Not Typically Ultra-Processed
No, hemp seeds are not ultra-processed. Hemp seeds (hemp hearts) are Level 1 — minimally processed. They are mechanically shelled to remove the hard outer hull and then packaged, with no chemical processing involved.
Key Findings
- •Hemp hearts are Level 1 — mechanically shelled with no chemical processing
- •The dehulling process is identical in principle to shelling any nut or seed
- •Hemp protein powder and hemp oil are further processed derivatives but still not ultra-processed
Why Is Hemp Seeds Level 1?
Hemp hearts — the most common form sold at retail — are produced by mechanical dehulling: the hard outer shell of Cannabis sativa seeds is cracked and separated using impact hullers or rubber rollers, leaving the soft inner kernel. This is the same basic process used for sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and other shelled seeds. No solvents, heat treatments, or chemical agents are used. The hulling process actually improves digestibility by removing the fibrous, hard-to-digest outer casing. Whole unhulled hemp seeds are even less processed (Level 1) but are less commonly sold for eating.
Hemp Seeds Processing Level Distribution
How 295 hemp seeds products break down by processing level:
Average ingredient count: 3.9 · Average nutrition score: 7.6/10
Hemp Seeds Brand Comparison
Comparing the least to most processed hemp seeds products in our database:
| Product | Brand | Level | Score | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelled Hemp Seeds | Ht Traders | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Organic Hemp Hearts | New Leaf Bloom | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Hulled Hemp Seeds | Nature's Earthly Choice | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Raw Shelled Hemp Seeds | Manitoba Harvest | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Delicious Nutty Flavor Organic Hemp Hearts Shelled Hemp Seeds, Delicious Nutty | Manitoba Harvest | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Organic Hemp Seeds | O Organics | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Shelled Hemp Seeds | Simple Truth | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Shelled Hemp Seeds | Simple Truth | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Shelled Hemp Seeds | Simple Truth | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Organic Hemp Seeds | Omg! Organic Meets Good | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
How to Read Hemp Seeds Labels
- 1
Hemp hearts (hulled hemp seeds) should list one ingredient: hemp seeds
- 2
Whole unhulled hemp seeds are equally unprocessed — just less common for eating
- 3
Hemp protein powder involves further processing (pressing out oil, milling) — Level 2
- 4
Hemp oil should be cold-pressed (Level 1) — avoid refined versions
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hemp seeds the same as hemp hearts?
Hemp hearts are hulled (shelled) hemp seeds with the hard outer casing removed. Both are Level 1. Hemp hearts are more commonly sold for eating because the hull is tough and fibrous.
Is hemp protein powder ultra-processed?
Hemp protein powder is Level 2. After hulling, the seeds are cold-pressed to extract oil, and the remaining cake is milled into powder. No chemical solvents are used, but it involves more processing steps than whole seeds.
Are hemp seeds legal?
Yes. Hemp seeds sold as food contain negligible THC (less than 0.3%) and are legal throughout the United States. The hulling process removes any trace amounts from the outer shell. This is a regulatory distinction, not a processing one.