Yes — Baked Beans in Tomato sauce by Sainsbury’s is ultra-processed.
Classified as ultra-processed because the ingredient list includes modified maize starch (an industrially modified starch used as a thickener/stabilizer) and flavouring (industrial flavoring agents). These additives make the product ultra-processed under NOVA, even though the base ingredients (beans, tomatoes, water, sugar, salt, spices) are minimally processed.
Other cupboard staples Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
organic plum tomatoes
Not UPF
Red Kidney Beans
East End
Not UPF
Seedless Raisins
Co-op
Not UPF
Suma Vegan Organic Mushroom Soup
Suma
Not UPF
brown Lentils
odd Pod
Not UPF
Butter Beans
Waitrose Duchy Organic, Waitrose, Duchy
Not UPF
Flaxseed
Not UPF
Organic Baked Beans
Tesco
Not UPF
Italian Tomato Purée Double Concentrate
Sainsbury's,by sainsbury's
Not UPF
Baked Beans in tomato sauce
Sainsbury’s Organic
Not UPF
Yes — Baked Beans in Tomato sauce by Sainsbury’s by By sainsbury's is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). Classified as ultra-processed because the ingredient list includes modified maize starch (an industrially modified starch used as a thickener/stabilizer) and flavouring (industrial flavoring agents). These additives make the product ultra-processed under NOVA, even though the base ingredients (beans, tomatoes, water, sugar, salt, spices) are minimally processed.
Nomi flags 3 ingredients in Baked Beans in Tomato sauce by Sainsbury’s as ultra-processed markers: modified maize starch, paprika extract, flavouring. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.
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.