By sainsbury's

Sardines

Barcode 01252781

Scanned 14 times by Nomi users

No — Sardines is not ultra-processed.

Ingredients are basic, minimally processed foods: fish, water, tomato purée, sunflower oil, salt, and sugar. No industrial additives, refined syrups, emulsifiers, or flavor enhancers are present, so this is not classified as ultra-processed under NOVA.

Ingredients

No ultra-processed markers

OK

sardines

Small fatty fish commonly canned. Suitable for use as a food ingredient.
OK

water

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

tomato purée

Processed tomato product often used as a base or sauce ingredient.
OK

sunflower oil

A neutral-tasting culinary oil pressed from sunflower seeds, rich in unsaturated fats and commonly used for frying and dressings.
OK

salt

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

sugar

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

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Common questions about Sardines

Is Sardines ultra-processed?

No — Sardines by By sainsbury's is not ultra-processed, so it is not a UPF (ultra-processed food). Ingredients are basic, minimally processed foods: fish, water, tomato purée, sunflower oil, salt, and sugar. No industrial additives, refined syrups, emulsifiers, or flavor enhancers are present, so this is not classified as ultra-processed under NOVA.

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.