By sainsbury's

Hoisin sauce

Barcode 00414494

Scanned 21 times by Nomi users

Yes — Hoisin sauce is ultra-processed.

This hoisin sauce is ultra-processed because it contains several industrial ingredients and additives, including modified corn starch (an industrially processed thickener), potassium sorbate (a preservative), added flavouring, acetic acid and lactic acid used as acid regulators, and caramel colour. These go beyond basic culinary ingredients and indicate an ultra-processed industrial formulation according to NOVA.

Ingredients

1 ultra-processed marker

OK

sugar

Granulated sugar derived from sugarcane or sugar beets; a basic, single-ingredient sweetener.
OK

water

Essential base ingredient for countless foods and beverages; serves as solvent and texture modifier.
OK

fermented soya bean (12%) (water)
OK

soy bean (soya)
OK

salt

Common mineral compound (sodium chloride) used as a seasoning and preservative across cuisines.
OK

wheat flour

Finely ground cereal flour from wheat; a fundamental baking ingredient.
UPF

modified corn starch

A processed starch produced from corn by modifying its starch molecules for improved stability and texture.
OK

colour: plain caramel; sesame seeds
OK

garlic

A bulbous aromatic spice used to impart savory flavor in cooking; can be used fresh, sautéed, roasted, or in powder form.
OK

five spice
OK

acetic acid

A simple carboxylic acid used as an acidulant and flavoring additive in foods; a chemical ingredient.
OK

preservative: potassium sorbate; flavouring
OK

lactic acid

A common food additive used to regulate acidity in beverages and processed foods.

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Common questions about Hoisin sauce

Is Hoisin sauce ultra-processed?

Yes — Hoisin sauce by By sainsbury's is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). This hoisin sauce is ultra-processed because it contains several industrial ingredients and additives, including modified corn starch (an industrially processed thickener), potassium sorbate (a preservative), added flavouring, acetic acid and lactic acid used as acid regulators, and caramel colour. These go beyond basic culinary ingredients and indicate an ultra-processed industrial formulation according to NOVA.

Which ingredients in Hoisin sauce are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags one ingredient in Hoisin sauce as an ultra-processed marker: modified corn starch. 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.

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.