Spiced Mackerel in Tomato Sauce

Barcode 29061396

No — Spiced Mackerel in Tomato Sauce is not ultra-processed.

The ingredients are mackerel, water, tomato purée, vinegar, sugar, and spices (ground spices, chili powder, cumin, star anise, fennel). These are all basic culinary ingredients without industrial additives, refined syrups, emulsifiers, flavor enhancers, or other ultra-processed components. Canned fish in a simple tomato and spice sauce like this fits NOVA group 3 (processed) rather than ultra-processed.

Ingredients

1 ultra-processed marker

OK

mackerel (fish)
OK

water

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

tomato purée

A tomato-based concentrate obtained by cooking down tomatoes, commonly used as a base or seasoning in dishes.
OK

vinegar

A sour-tasting liquid produced by fermentation, widely used as a condiment and preservative.
OK

sugar

Granulated sugar derived from sugarcane or sugar beets; a basic, single-ingredient sweetener.
OK

ground spices

Ground spices are dried aromatic plant parts (such as pepper, cumin, coriander) that have been milled into a powder. They contribute aroma and flavor and are used as a basic culinary ingredient.
UPF

chili powder

A ground spice mix typically made from dried chili peppers and other spices; can include salt, anticaking agents or additives.
OK

cumin

A warm, earthy spice from the seeds of the Cuminum cyminum plant, common in spice blends.
OK

star anise

A dried fruit of Illicium verum, used whole or ground as a spice and flavoring.
OK

fennel

A flavorful, aromatic herb with feathery leaves and a bulbous base, used as an herb or vegetable in cooking.

Common questions about Spiced Mackerel in Tomato Sauce

Is Spiced Mackerel in Tomato Sauce ultra-processed?

No — Spiced Mackerel in Tomato Sauce is not ultra-processed, so it is not a UPF (ultra-processed food). The ingredients are mackerel, water, tomato purée, vinegar, sugar, and spices (ground spices, chili powder, cumin, star anise, fennel). These are all basic culinary ingredients without industrial additives, refined syrups, emulsifiers, flavor enhancers, or other ultra-processed components. Canned fish in a simple tomato and spice sauce like this fits NOVA group 3 (processed) rather than ultra-processed.

Which ingredients in Spiced Mackerel in Tomato Sauce are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags one ingredient in Spiced Mackerel in Tomato Sauce as an ultra-processed marker: chili powder. 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.