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Sweet chilli chicken by Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's

Sweet chilli chicken

Barcode 00285094
Scanned  12  times by Nomi users
Ultra-Processed Food (UPF)

Yes — Sweet chilli chicken is ultra-processed.

Classified as ultra-processed because the ingredient list contains several UPF ingredients/additives, including dextrose (an industrially refined sugar), stabiliser: sodium triphosphate, yeast extract, paprika extract, flavourings, and multiple spice/herb extracts (cumin extract, oregano extract, onion extract, allspice extract). These are industrial formulations or additives according to the NOVA criteria.

Ingredients

4 ultra-processed markers
  • OK
    british chicken breast fillet
    A boneless, skinless chicken breast cut from a chicken raised in Britain; a common raw poultry ingredient used in home cooking and ready meals.
  • OK
    sugar
    Granulated sugar derived from sugarcane or sugar beets; a basic, single-ingredient sweetener.
  • OK
    garlic purée
    Pureed garlic, often used as a flavoring base.
  • OK
    honey
    A natural sweet viscous liquid produced by bees from floral nectar; widely used as a sweetener in foods.
  • OK
    corn flour (cornstarch)
    Fine flour derived from corn used as a thickener in sauces and gravies.
  • OK
    dried red bell pepper
  • OK
    white wine vinegar
    A clear, mild vinegar made from fermented white wine, used for acidity in dressings, marinades, and pickling.
  • OK
    salt
    Common mineral compound (sodium chloride) used as a seasoning and preservative across cuisines.
  • OK
    jalapeño chilli
  • OK
    red pepper powder
    Ground dried red peppers used as a spice to add heat and color to dishes; forms part of many chili blends.
  • OK
    red chili
    Dried or fresh ripe red peppers used to add heat and flavor to dishes.
  • OK
    stabiliser: sodium triphosphate; dextrose
  • OK
    chilli
    Chilli (chili pepper) is a pungent fruit used to add heat and spice to dishes. It is a natural plant product and widely used as a basic food ingredient.
  • OK
    sunflower oil
    A neutral-tasting culinary oil pressed from sunflower seeds, rich in unsaturated fats and commonly used for frying and dressings.
  • OK
    paprika
    A ground spice made from dried red peppers (Capsicum species), used for color and flavor in many cuisines.
  • OK
    garlic powder
    Dried, ground garlic used as a convenient, concentrated form of garlic flavoring in cooking.
  • UPF
    yeast extract
    A flavor-enhancing extract produced from yeast cells, rich in amino acids and natural glutamates, commonly used to augment savory flavors.
  • OK
    coriander (cilantro seeds)
    Dried seeds of the coriander plant (Coriandrum sativum). Warm, citrusy flavor used ground or as whole seeds in spice blends and curries.
  • OK
    onion powder
    Dried and ground onion used as a seasoning to impart onion flavor.
  • OK
    tapioca starch
    Starch extracted from cassava (tapioca root), used as a thickener and binder.
  • OK
    rapeseed it
  • OK
    cayenne pepper
    Dried and ground hot chili pepper (Capsicum annuum) known for its fiery heat, used to add pungency and warmth to dishes.
  • OK
    lime oil
  • OK
    cumin
    A warm, earthy spice from the seeds of the Cuminum cyminum plant, common in spice blends.
  • OK
    turmeric
    A bright orange-yellow root commonly used as a spice and for its active compound curcumin, with warm, earthy, slightly peppery flavor.
  • UPF
    paprika extract
    Concentrated flavor ingredient derived from paprika (capsicum) used to impart paprika flavor without the physical pepper pieces.
  • OK
    oregano
    A dried aromatic herb used as a spice in cooking, with a warm, slightly bitter flavor.
  • OK
    cumin extract
  • OK
    oregano extract
  • UPF
    onion extract
    A liquid extract derived from onions used as a flavoring agent in foods.
  • UPF
    flavourings
    Flavourings are additives that are used to enhance or impart flavor to food products. They are considered ultra-processed as they are synthetic or natural substances that are typically extracted, isolated, or synthesized for their flavor properties.
  • OK
    allspice extract
  • OK
    garlic oil
    Oil infused with garlic flavor, used as a cooking oil or flavoring. Could be pure garlic-infused oil or a formulation with additives.

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Common questions about Sweet chilli chicken

Is Sweet chilli chicken ultra-processed?

Yes — Sweet chilli chicken by Sainsbury's is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). Classified as ultra-processed because the ingredient list contains several UPF ingredients/additives, including dextrose (an industrially refined sugar), stabiliser: sodium triphosphate, yeast extract, paprika extract, flavourings, and multiple spice/herb extracts (cumin extract, oregano extract, onion extract, allspice extract). These are industrial formulations or additives according to the NOVA criteria.

Which ingredients in Sweet chilli chicken are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 4 ingredients in Sweet chilli chicken as ultra-processed markers: yeast extract, paprika extract, onion extract, flavourings. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.

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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