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Moroccan style couscous by Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's

Moroccan style couscous

Barcode 01196573
Scanned  16  times by Nomi users
Ultra-Processed Food (UPF)

Yes — Moroccan style couscous is ultra-processed.

Classified as ultra-processed because it contains stabiliser pectin, which is an industrial gelling/thickening agent. All it takes is one such additive for the product to be considered UPF under the given rules.

Ingredients

1 ultra-processed marker
  • OK
    couscous (31%) (durum wheat semolina)
  • OK
    water
    Essential base ingredient for countless foods and beverages; serves as solvent and texture modifier.
  • OK
    chickpeas (13%)
  • OK
    sugar
    Granulated sugar derived from sugarcane or sugar beets; a basic, single-ingredient sweetener.
  • OK
    raisins
    Dried grapes, commonly used as a sweet ingredient in baking and snacks; natural, minimally processed fruit product.
  • OK
    rapeseed oil
    A basic culinary oil pressed from rapeseeds (Brassica napus). Used for frying, baking, and dressings. Neutral flavor.
  • OK
    apricots (3%) (apricots, rice flour, preservative: sulphur dioxide)
  • OK
    cranberries
  • OK
    red wine vinegar
    A vinegar produced by fermenting red wine with acetic acid bacteria, used as a tangy condiment and cooking acid.
  • OK
    parsley
    A fresh green herb used to flavor and garnish dishes; commonly added chopped leaves.
  • OK
    salt
    Common mineral compound (sodium chloride) used as a seasoning and preservative across cuisines.
  • 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
    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
    tomato purée
    A tomato-based concentrate obtained by cooking down tomatoes, commonly used as a base or seasoning in dishes.
  • OK
    spices
    diverse plant extracts used to flavor foods; can refer to a mix of single or blended seasonings.
  • OK
    black pepper
    A common spice made from dried peppercorns of the Piper nigrum plant, used to add pungent heat and aroma to dishes.
  • OK
    garlic purée
    Pureed garlic, often used as a flavoring base.
  • OK
    ginger purée
    A smooth paste made from ginger, used to impart ginger flavor in sauces and dishes.
  • OK
    red chili
    Dried or fresh ripe red peppers used to add heat and flavor to dishes.
  • OK
    cornflour
    Ground corn starch used as a thickening agent in cooking and baking.
  • OK
    ground cinnamon
    A finely ground spice obtained from the inner bark of Cinnamomum trees, with warm, sweet-aromatic flavor used for seasoning and baking.
  • OK
    sunflower oil
    A neutral-tasting culinary oil pressed from sunflower seeds, rich in unsaturated fats and commonly used for frying and dressings.
  • OK
    mustard seeds
    Dried seeds of the mustard plant used whole or ground to flavor condiments, sauces, pickles, and spice blends.
  • OK
    cumin powder
    Ground seeds of Cuminum cyminum, a warm, earthy spice used in various cuisines.
  • OK
    cardamom
    A small aromatic seed (or pod) used as a spice with a strong, sweet, floral and citrusy aroma.
  • OK
    coriander powder
    Ground coriander seeds, a warm, citrusy spice used worldwide in curry blends and seasoning.
  • UPF
    pectin (stabiliser)
    Pectin used as a stabiliser/gelling agent in foods; an extracted additive.

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Common questions about Moroccan style couscous

Is Moroccan style couscous ultra-processed?

Yes — Moroccan style couscous by Sainsbury's is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). Classified as ultra-processed because it contains stabiliser pectin, which is an industrial gelling/thickening agent. All it takes is one such additive for the product to be considered UPF under the given rules.

Which ingredients in Moroccan style couscous are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags one ingredient in Moroccan style couscous as an ultra-processed marker: pectin (stabiliser). 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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