Yes — Red Kidney Beans in chili sauce is ultra-processed.
The product is classified as ultra-processed (UPF). It contains modified maize starch, which is a pre-identified UPF ingredient, and “flavourings,” an industrially produced additive. Both are markers of ultra-processing under NOVA, so the whole product is UPF even though many ingredients are simple foods (beans, tomatoes, herbs, spices).
Similar products that aren't ultra-processed — swap and keep the flavour.
Other cupboard staples Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
Organic White Miso - Light Soybean paste
MISO Tasty
Not UPF
Gungo Peas
Tropical Sun
Not UPF
Liz
crosta & mollica
Not UPF
Organic Pitted kalamata olives
Sainsbury's
Not UPF
Santa Cruz Chilli & Sea Salt
Not UPF
Tuscan Bean Soup
Suma
Not UPF
Baked Beans
Marks & Spencers, Marks & Spencer
Not UPF
Capsicana Latin Flavour Brazilian BBQ Wrap
Not UPF
Co Chia Seed White
Not UPF
Yes — Red Kidney Beans in chili sauce by By Sainsbury's is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is classified as ultra-processed (UPF). It contains modified maize starch, which is a pre-identified UPF ingredient, and “flavourings,” an industrially produced additive. Both are markers of ultra-processing under NOVA, so the whole product is UPF even though many ingredients are simple foods (beans, tomatoes, herbs, spices).
Nomi flags 2 ingredients in Red Kidney Beans in chili sauce as ultra-processed markers: modified maize starch, flavourings. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.
Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including Red Kidney beans by Sainsbury's, Red Kidney Beans in Water imp by Biona, biona organic, Organic red kidney beans in water by Tesco. See the healthier alternatives above for details.
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.
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.
This page was shared from Nomi, the free app that tells you instantly whether any food is ultra-processed.
Free download · No subscription needed to start scanning


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.