Sweet Bay Ray’s

Barbecue sauce

Barcode 1220000450097

Scanned 38 times by Nomi users

Yes — Barbecue sauce is ultra-processed.

This barbecue sauce is ultra-processed because it contains several industrial ingredients and additives, including modified corn starch (an industrially processed thickener), natural smoke flavouring (a manufactured flavouring agent), colour E150d (caramel colour), and preservative E211 (sodium benzoate). These additives and processing agents place it in the ultra-processed (NOVA 4) category.

Ingredients

1 ultra-processed marker

OK

sugar (cane)

Granulated sugar derived from sugarcane; a basic sweetener used in foods and drinks.
OK

water

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

tomato paste

Concentrated tomato juice cooked down to a thick, concentrated concentrate used as a base or flavoring in sauces and dishes.
OK

distilled vinegar

A clear, acidic condiment produced by fermenting ethanol and purifying the resultant acetic acid; commonly used for pickling, flavoring, and preservation.
UPF

modified corn starch

A processed starch produced from corn by modifying its starch molecules for improved stability and texture.
OK

salt

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

pineapple juice concentrate
OK

natural smoke flavouring
OK

spice

Diverse plant-derived flavoring agents used to season foods; typically used in small amounts.
OK

molasses

A thick, dark syrup produced during sugar refining, rich in flavor and used in baking and cooking.
OK

colour: e150d
OK

preservative: e211
OK

dried garlic

Dehydrated garlic cloves ground or whole, used as a pungent seasoning with long shelf life.
OK

mustard flour

Ground mustard seeds used as a spice or condiment; a basic, natural ingredient derived from mustard seeds.
OK

garlic powder

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

Healthier alternatives

Reviewed by Nomi

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

BBQ Sauce with Smoked Paprika

Bays Kitchen

View product →

Not Ultra-Processed

Unsweetened Barbecue Smokey Classic

Hunter & Gather

View product →

Swap it for something less processed

See all Sauces, Condiments & Spreads →

Other sauces, condiments & spreads Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.

Common questions about Barbecue sauce

Is Barbecue sauce ultra-processed?

Yes — Barbecue sauce by Sweet Bay Ray’s is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). This barbecue sauce is ultra-processed because it contains several industrial ingredients and additives, including modified corn starch (an industrially processed thickener), natural smoke flavouring (a manufactured flavouring agent), colour E150d (caramel colour), and preservative E211 (sodium benzoate). These additives and processing agents place it in the ultra-processed (NOVA 4) category.

Which ingredients in Barbecue sauce are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags one ingredient in Barbecue sauce as an ultra-processed marker: modified corn starch. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.

What are healthier alternatives to Barbecue sauce?

Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including original BBQ sauce by Sauce Shop, BBQ Sauce with Smoked Paprika by Bays Kitchen, Unsweetened Barbecue Smokey Classic by Hunter & Gather. 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.

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.

Barbecue sauce

Ingredients

Healthier alternatives

Swap it for something less processed

Common questions about Barbecue sauce

Is Barbecue sauce ultra-processed?

Which ingredients in Barbecue sauce are ultra-processed?

What are healthier alternatives to Barbecue sauce?

What does "ultra-processed" (UPF) mean?

How can I check whether other foods are ultra-processed?

Scan it yourself,right in the aisle

Scan it yourself,
right in the aisle