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Spicy Mexican style rice by Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's

Spicy Mexican style rice

Barcode 00120715
Scanned  29  times by Nomi users
Ultra-Processed Food (UPF)

Yes — Spicy Mexican style rice is ultra-processed.

The product is ultra-processed because the ingredient list includes maltodextrin, flavouring/flavourings, yeast extract powder, and colour (paprika extract). These are industrially processed additives or formulations used for flavour enhancement, texture, or colour, which classifies the food as an ultra-processed product under NOVA.

Ingredients

3 ultra-processed markers
  • OK
    spices maltodextrin salt
  • OK
    sunflower oil
    A neutral-tasting culinary oil pressed from sunflower seeds, rich in unsaturated fats and commonly used for frying and dressings.
  • UPF
    flavouring
    A generic additive used to impart or enhance flavor; can be synthetic or derived from natural sources.
  • UPF
    yeast extract powder
    Powdered extract derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, rich in amino acids and umami; used as a flavor enhancer.
  • OK
    sugar
    Granulated sugar derived from sugarcane or sugar beets; a basic, single-ingredient sweetener.
  • UPF
    turmeric extract
    A concentrated extract derived from the rhizome of turmeric (Curcuma longa), used as a spice/flavoring or functional ingredient in foods and supplements.
  • OK
    onion powder
    Dried and ground onion used as a seasoning to impart onion flavor.
  • OK
    chilli purée (02 cooked long grain rice (68%), tomato juice, sweetcorn, adzuki beans, tomato concentrate, red pepper, sunflower oil, flavourings and chill, white wine vinegar, rapeseed oil, salt)
  • OK
    garlic powder
    Dried, ground garlic used as a convenient, concentrated form of garlic flavoring in cooking.
  • OK
    coriander leaf
    Coriander leaves (cilantro) from the Coriandrum sativum plant, used fresh or dried for aroma and garnish.
  • OK
    jalapeño pepper
    A medium-sized chili pepper with green to red coloration, known for bright, hot flavor.
  • OK
    salt
    Common mineral compound (sodium chloride) used as a seasoning and preservative across cuisines.
  • OK
    colour: paprika extract coriander extract pouch-plastic not currently recycled we're sure you'll love this product. if you don't
  • OK
    simply return for a full refund. or call our careline 0800 636262 best before:

Healthier alternatives

Reviewed by Nomi

Similar products that aren't ultra-processed — swap and keep the flavour.

Good Grains Spanish Style Grains
Not Ultra-Processed
Good Grains Spanish Style Grains
Worldwide Foods, Aldi, Aldi Worldwide Foods
View product →
Brown, Red & Wild Wholegrain Rice
Not Ultra-Processed
Brown, Red & Wild Wholegrain Rice
Merchant Gourmet
View product →
Caribbean Rice & Peas Basmati Rice
Not Ultra-Processed
Caribbean Rice & Peas Basmati Rice
Tilda
View product →
wholegrain and wild rice
Not Ultra-Processed
wholegrain and wild rice
Sainsburys
View product →

Swap it for something less processed

See all Ready Meals →

Other ready meals Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.

Common questions about Spicy Mexican style rice

Is Spicy Mexican style rice ultra-processed?

Yes — Spicy Mexican style rice by Sainsbury's is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is ultra-processed because the ingredient list includes maltodextrin, flavouring/flavourings, yeast extract powder, and colour (paprika extract). These are industrially processed additives or formulations used for flavour enhancement, texture, or colour, which classifies the food as an ultra-processed product under NOVA.

Which ingredients in Spicy Mexican style rice are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 3 ingredients in Spicy Mexican style rice as ultra-processed markers: flavouring, yeast extract powder, turmeric extract. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.

What are healthier alternatives to Spicy Mexican style rice?

Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including Good Grains Spanish Style Grains by Worldwide Foods, Aldi, Aldi Worldwide Foods, Brown, Red & Wild Wholegrain Rice by Merchant Gourmet, Caribbean Rice & Peas Basmati Rice by Tilda. See the healthier alternatives above for details.

What does "ultra-processed" (UPF) mean?

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrial formulations made with ingredients and additives you wouldn't find in a home kitchen — such as emulsifiers, artificial flavourings, colourings and modified starches. The classification is based on the NOVA system used by researchers and dietitians worldwide.

How can I check whether other foods are ultra-processed?

Scan any barcode — or photograph the ingredients label — with the free Nomi app for iOS and Android. You'll get an instant ultra-processed verdict with every ingredient explained in plain English.

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Product information comes from public databases and Nomi's own analysis, and may contain errors. Always check the packaging. Ultra-processed classification is based on the NOVA food processing system.

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