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Pilau rice by Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's

Pilau rice

Barcode 01793673
Scanned  27  times by Nomi users
Ultra-Processed Food (UPF)

Yes — Pilau rice is ultra-processed.

The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains natural flavouring, which is an industrially produced additive/flavouring, making the overall food UPF under NOVA. Other ingredients such as rice, vegetable oils, spices, and curcumin colour are not UPF by themselves, but the presence of natural flavouring is sufficient to classify the product as UPF.

Ingredients

1 ultra-processed marker
  • OK
    cooked parboiled long grain rice (95%)
  • OK
    vegetable oil
    A basic edible oil blend from pressed seeds (sunflower and rapeseed).
  • UPF
    natural flavouring
    A generic flavoring ingredient derived from natural sources used to impart aroma or taste; may include essential oils or extracts.
  • OK
    onion
    A common bulb vegetable used as a base flavor in many cuisines. Crisp, pungent, sweet when cooked.
  • OK
    cumin seeds (0.2%)
  • OK
    yeast powder
    Powdered form of active dry yeast used as a leavening agent in baking or fermentation.
  • OK
    fennel seeds (0.2%)
  • OK
    turmeric powder
    A bright-orange, finely ground spice from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, used for color and flavor in many cuisines; commonly used in curry blends and as a seasoning.
  • OK
    onion powder
    Dried and ground onion used as a seasoning to impart onion flavor.
  • OK
    cardamom
    A small aromatic seed (or pod) used as a spice with a strong, sweet, floral and citrusy aroma.
  • OK
    fennel powder
    A finely ground powder made from fennel seeds, with a sweet-anise flavor used in cooking and seasoning.
  • OK
    clove powder
    A finely ground spice made from dried flower buds of the clove tree (Syzygium aromaticum), used for warm, aromatic flavoring.
  • OK
    colour: curcumin; cinnamon powder

Healthier alternatives

Reviewed by Nomi

Similar products that aren't ultra-processed — swap and keep the flavour.

Pure Basmati Rice
Not Ultra-Processed
Pure Basmati Rice
Tilda
View product →
Basmati rice
Not Ultra-Processed
Basmati rice
Aldi
View product →
Tast of - Basmati Microwave Rice
Not Ultra-Processed
Tast of - Basmati Microwave Rice
Golden sun,Taste of
View product →
Sainsburys Basmati Rice
Not Ultra-Processed
Sainsburys Basmati Rice
Sainsbury's,Sainsburys
View product →

Swap it for something less processed

See all Pasta, Rice & Noodles →

Other pasta, rice & noodles Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.

Common questions about Pilau rice

Is Pilau rice ultra-processed?

Yes — Pilau rice by Sainsbury's is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains natural flavouring, which is an industrially produced additive/flavouring, making the overall food UPF under NOVA. Other ingredients such as rice, vegetable oils, spices, and curcumin colour are not UPF by themselves, but the presence of natural flavouring is sufficient to classify the product as UPF.

Which ingredients in Pilau rice are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags one ingredient in Pilau rice as an ultra-processed marker: natural flavouring. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.

What are healthier alternatives to Pilau rice?

Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including Pure Basmati Rice by Tilda, Basmati rice by Aldi, Tast of - Basmati Microwave Rice by Golden sun,Taste of. See the healthier alternatives above for details.

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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