Yes — Black Bean Sauce is ultra-processed.
The product is considered ultra-processed because it contains modified corn starch, an industrially processed additive used as a thickener and stabilizer, which meets the NOVA criteria for ultra-processed foods.
Other sauces, condiments & spreads Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
Tesco
Not UPF
Chef Ketchup
Heinz
Not UPF
Spreadable Lighter
Nordpak
Not UPF
Avocado & Lemon Mayo
The Foraging Fox
Not UPF
Traditional Genovese Pesto
Belazu
Not UPF
Crunchy Peanut Butter
Nuts About Nature
Not UPF
Tailor Original Tikka Masala
The Spice Tailor
Not UPF
Organic Houmous ~ With added extra virgin olive oil
Marks & Spencer
Not UPF
Organic Tamari Soy Sauce
Yutaka
Not UPF
Tomato Ketchup
Sainsbury's, By Sainsbury's
Not UPF
Yes — Black Bean Sauce by Lee Kum Kee is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is considered ultra-processed because it contains modified corn starch, an industrially processed additive used as a thickener and stabilizer, which meets the NOVA criteria for ultra-processed foods.
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.