Lee Kum Kee

Oriental sesame soy sauce

Barcode 078895157178

Yes — Oriental sesame soy sauce is ultra-processed.

The product contains several ultra-processed additives per NOVA: flavour enhancers (E621 monosodium glutamate, E631, E627), colour E150a (industrial caramel colour), stabilizer E415 (xanthan gum), and generic flavouring. These industrial formulations and additives classify the product as ultra-processed (UPF).

Ingredients

1 ultra-processed marker

OK

soy sauce (water, salt, soybeans, wheat flour rice vinegar (water, rice, sugar, salt), water, sugar, soybean oil, colour e150a)
OK

flavour enhancers (e621, e631, e627)
OK

dehydrated garlic

Dried garlic, typically used as a flavoring or spice; a basic culinary ingredient.
OK

sesame oil 0.5%
OK

salt

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

dried chilli peppers
UPF

flavouring

A generic additive used to impart or enhance flavor; can be synthetic or derived from natural sources.
OK

stabilizer e415 (soybeans)
OK

wheat

A staple cereal grain used in foods; a basic ingredient in flour, bread, and many products.

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Common questions about Oriental sesame soy sauce

Is Oriental sesame soy sauce ultra-processed?

Yes — Oriental sesame soy sauce by Lee Kum Kee is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product contains several ultra-processed additives per NOVA: flavour enhancers (E621 monosodium glutamate, E631, E627), colour E150a (industrial caramel colour), stabilizer E415 (xanthan gum), and generic flavouring. These industrial formulations and additives classify the product as ultra-processed (UPF).

Which ingredients in Oriental sesame soy sauce are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags one ingredient in Oriental sesame soy sauce as an ultra-processed marker: flavouring. 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.