Nomi
UPF Food Scanner
Know what’s really in your food
Get the free app
Chicken Tikka Masala by M&S Food
M&S Food

Chicken Tikka Masala

Barcode 00918442
Scanned  6  times by Nomi users
Ultra-Processed Food (UPF)

Yes — Chicken Tikka Masala is ultra-processed.

The product is classified as UPF because it contains at least one ultra-processed additive according to NOVA, specifically the colour: paprika extract, which is an extracted and isolated additive used for colouring. All other ingredients are either whole foods or basic culinary ingredients, but the presence of this colour additive is sufficient to classify the overall product as ultra-processed.

Ingredients

1 ultra-processed marker
  • OK
    chicken breast (35%) onions single cream (milk) (18%)
  • OK
    tomato paste
    Concentrated tomato juice cooked down to a thick, concentrated concentrate used as a base or flavoring in sauces and dishes.
  • OK
    rapeseed oil
    A basic culinary oil pressed from rapeseeds (Brassica napus). Used for frying, baking, and dressings. Neutral flavor.
  • OK
    yogurt (milk)
    A fermented dairy product made from milk with lactic acid bacteria cultures. Common as a breakfast or ingredient in dishes.
  • OK
    unsalted butter (milk)
    Dairy fat produced from milk with no added salt; common cooking fat in many cuisines.
  • OK
    ginger purée
    A smooth paste made from ginger, used to impart ginger flavor in sauces and dishes.
  • OK
    garlic purée
    Pureed garlic, often used as a flavoring base.
  • OK
    low fat yogurt (milk)
    A dairy product from milk with reduced fat content. Contains live cultures in many brands.
  • 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
    lemon juice
    The clear, acidic juice extracted from lemons, used for brightness and acidity in foods and drinks.
  • OK
    honey
    A natural sweet viscous liquid produced by bees from floral nectar; widely used as a sweetener in foods.
  • OK
    ground coriander
    A spice ground from the dried seeds of Coriandrum sativum. Bright, citrusy, warm flavor widely used in spice blends and curries.
  • OK
    cornflour
    Ground corn starch used as a thickening agent in cooking and baking.
  • OK
    salt
    Common mineral compound (sodium chloride) used as a seasoning and preservative across cuisines.
  • OK
    ground , cumin
  • UPF
    paprika extract
    A concentrated pigment derived from paprika used as a colorant in foods.
  • OK
    turmeric
    A bright orange-yellow root commonly used as a spice and for its active compound curcumin, with warm, earthy, slightly peppery flavor.
  • OK
    ground green cardamom
  • OK
    cumin seeds
    Flat, boat-shaped seeds from the cumin plant, offering a warm, earthy, citrusy aroma used in spice blends and cooking.
  • OK
    chilli powder
    Ground dried chili peppers used as a spice to add heat and flavor in dishes. It is a basic single-ingredient spice.
  • OK
    ground garam masala (roasted coriander • roasted cumin • black pepper • cinnamon • mace • roasted green cardamom seeds • ginger • fennel • cloves • nutmeg • bay leaves)
  • OK
    ground cinnamon
    A spice derived from the inner bark of Cinnamomum trees, ground into fine powder for flavoring and aroma in foods.
  • OK
    ground smoked paprika
    Powdered spice made from dried, smoke-cured peppers. A basic single-ingredient spice used for seasoning; not an ultra-processed ingredient.
  • OK
    ground paprika
    A ground spice made from dried peppers, used for color and flavor.
  • OK
    chilli extract
    Extract derived from chili peppers used to impart heat or flavor.

Swap it for something less processed

See all Meat & Poultry →

Other meat & poultry Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.

Common questions about Chicken Tikka Masala

Is Chicken Tikka Masala ultra-processed?

Yes — Chicken Tikka Masala by M&S Food is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is classified as UPF because it contains at least one ultra-processed additive according to NOVA, specifically the colour: paprika extract, which is an extracted and isolated additive used for colouring. All other ingredients are either whole foods or basic culinary ingredients, but the presence of this colour additive is sufficient to classify the overall product as ultra-processed.

Which ingredients in Chicken Tikka Masala are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags one ingredient in Chicken Tikka Masala as an ultra-processed marker: paprika extract. 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.

BBC As seen on The One Show

Scan it yourself,
right in the aisle

This page was shared from Nomi, the free app that tells you instantly whether any food is ultra-processed.

  • Scan any barcode — or photograph the ingredients label
  • Every ingredient explained in plain English
  • Daily check-ins show how food affects how you feel
  • Save favourites and build a healthier shopping list

Free download · No subscription needed to start scanning

Nomi monthly wellbeing report
Nomi scan result screen

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.

Nomi — UPF Scanner Free on iOS & Android
Get the app