By sainsbury's

Brown Sauce

Barcode 01774436

Scanned 13 times by Nomi users

Yes — Brown Sauce is ultra-processed.

The ingredient list is valid. The product is ultra-processed because it contains modified maize starch, which is an industrially processed additive used as a thickener/stabilizer and is classified as UPF under NOVA. Other ingredients like sugar, vinegars, cane molasses, date purée, tomato purée, tamarind, salt, and spices are not UPF by themselves, but the presence of modified maize starch is sufficient to classify the overall product as ultra-processed.

Ingredients

1 ultra-processed marker

OK

water

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

sugar

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

malt vinegar (barley)

Vinegar made from malted barley, used for condiments and pickling; a traditional culinary ingredient.
OK

cane molasses

A dark, viscous syrup produced from sugar cane during the sugar-making process; used as a sweetener and flavoring in baking and cooking.
OK

spirit vinegar

A clear, distilled vinegar typically made from fermented alcohol (ethanol) and used for pickling, flavoring, and preservation.
UPF

modified maize starch

A processed starch, often used as a thickener or binding agent in foods; may be treated to modify properties.
OK

date purée (water, date, acidity regulator: acetic acid)
OK

tomato purée

A tomato-based concentrate obtained by cooking down tomatoes, commonly used as a base or seasoning in dishes.
OK

tamarind concentrate

A concentrated paste derived from tamarind fruit, used as a souring agent and flavor enhancer in sauces, curries, and chutneys.
OK

salt

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

ground ginger

Powdered ginger root used as a spice and flavoring.
OK

allspice

A dried berry spice with warm, clove-like flavor often used in spice blends, marinades, and baked goods.
OK

ground black pepper

A fine powder made by grinding peppercorns (Piper nigrum); a common, pungent spice used to season savory dishes.
OK

ground cloves

Ground cloves are the finely milled powder of the dried flower buds of the clove tree. They are a common spice used in both sweet and savory dishes, offering warm, aromatic, and slightly bitter notes.
OK

garlic powder

Dried, ground garlic used as a convenient, concentrated form of garlic flavoring in 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 nutmeg

Ground form of nutmeg, a warm aromatic spice often used in baking and cooking.

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Common questions about Brown Sauce

Is Brown Sauce ultra-processed?

Yes — Brown Sauce by By sainsbury's is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The ingredient list is valid. The product is ultra-processed because it contains modified maize starch, which is an industrially processed additive used as a thickener/stabilizer and is classified as UPF under NOVA. Other ingredients like sugar, vinegars, cane molasses, date purée, tomato purée, tamarind, salt, and spices are not UPF by themselves, but the presence of modified maize starch is sufficient to classify the overall product as ultra-processed.

Which ingredients in Brown Sauce are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags one ingredient in Brown Sauce as an ultra-processed marker: modified maize 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.