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Yes — Baked Beans (Reduced Sugar & Salt) is ultra-processed.
The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains several industrial additives and formulations: modified maize starch (a chemically altered starch used as a thickener/stabilizer), steviol glycosides (an extracted/intensively processed high-intensity sweetener), paprika extract (an industrial extract used for colour/flavour), and unspecified flavouring (industrial flavour formulation). According to NOVA, the presence of these additives makes the overall product an ultra-processed food, even though many base ingredients (beans, tomatoes, water, sugar, salt, onion powder, paprika powder) are minimally processed or basic culinary ingredients.
Similar products that aren't ultra-processed — swap and keep the flavour.
Other cupboard staples Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
Red Lentils
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Red split lentils
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Rustic Vegetable soup
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Queen Black Beans
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Chopped tomatoes
donhorio
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Low Sugar Baked Beans
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Organic White Miso - Light Soybean paste
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Gungo Peas
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Yes — Baked Beans (Reduced Sugar & Salt) by Sainsburys is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains several industrial additives and formulations: modified maize starch (a chemically altered starch used as a thickener/stabilizer), steviol glycosides (an extracted/intensively processed high-intensity sweetener), paprika extract (an industrial extract used for colour/flavour), and unspecified flavouring (industrial flavour formulation). According to NOVA, the presence of these additives makes the overall product an ultra-processed food, even though many base ingredients (beans, tomatoes, water, sugar, salt, onion powder, paprika powder) are minimally processed or basic culinary ingredients.
Nomi flags 3 ingredients in Baked Beans (Reduced Sugar & Salt) as ultra-processed markers: modified maize starch, paprika extract, flavouring. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.
Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including Baked Beans in tomato sauce by Sainsbury’s Organic, Organic baked beans by mr organic, Biona Organic Baked Beans Classic by Biona Organic. 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.
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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.
