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Yes — Houmous is ultra-processed.
The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains potassium sorbate, a preservative additive used to extend shelf life in industrial formulations. While most ingredients are minimally processed (chickpeas, water, rapeseed oil, tahini, cornflour, citric acid, salt, garlic), the presence of this industrial preservative is sufficient under NOVA criteria to classify the product as UPF.
Similar products that aren't ultra-processed — swap and keep the flavour.
Other sauces, condiments & spreads Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
Geeta's Mango Chutney imp
Geeta’s Foods Ltd
Not UPF
Spreadable
Yeo Valley Organic
Not UPF
Tesco Houmous
Tesco
Not UPF
Organic Houmous
Sainsbury's,So Organic
Not UPF
Aceto Balsamico Di Modena
Acentino
Not UPF
Passata di Pomodoro
Mutti
Not UPF
Classic Houmous
Sainsbury's
Not UPF
Sauce soja
Kikkoman,Kikkoman - Kikkoman K.K.
Not UPF
Kikkoman Soyasaus glutenfrei
KIKKOMAN
Not UPF
Duchy Organic Mayonnaise
Waitrose & Partners
Not UPF
Yes — Houmous by Tesco is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains potassium sorbate, a preservative additive used to extend shelf life in industrial formulations. While most ingredients are minimally processed (chickpeas, water, rapeseed oil, tahini, cornflour, citric acid, salt, garlic), the presence of this industrial preservative is sufficient under NOVA criteria to classify the product as UPF.
Nomi flags one ingredient in Houmous as an ultra-processed marker: potassium sorbate. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.
Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including Organic Houmous by Sainsbury's,So Organic, Tesco Houmous by Tesco, Organic Houmous ~ With added extra virgin olive oil by Marks & Spencer. See the healthier alternatives above for details.
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.
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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.