M&S Food

Black Bean And Garlic Stir Fry Sauce

Barcode 29430734

Yes — Black Bean And Garlic Stir Fry Sauce is ultra-processed.

This sauce is ultra-processed because it contains several industrial ingredients and additives, including concentrated mushrooms, yeast extract, barley malt extract, and natural flavouring. These are characteristic of ultra-processed foods under NOVA, as they are industrial formulations used to enhance flavour rather than basic culinary ingredients.

Ingredients

4 ultra-processed markers

OK

water-soft brown sugar-ginger purée with black soybeans

A blended paste combining ginger purée, brown sugar, and black soybeans. Contains soybeans and wheat flour; includes water, salt, and acetic acid as acidity regulator.
OK

rice vinegar

A mild vinegar made from fermented rice—used to season dishes, pickles, and dressings with a subtle sweet and tangy note.
OK

garlic purée

A puree of garlic cloves used to provide garlic flavor.
OK

salt

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

cornflour

Ground corn starch used as a thickening agent in cooking and baking.
OK

rapeseed oil

A basic culinary oil pressed from rapeseeds (Brassica napus). Used for frying, baking, and dressings. Neutral flavor.
OK

sugar

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

red chili purée

A smooth paste made from red chili peppers, used to add heat and color in dishes. Typically a simple, single-ingredient puree.
OK

soybeans

Dried seeds of the soybean, used to make soy products like tofu, soy milk, and soy sauce.
OK

chicken stock with rice wine

A savory stock made from water, chicken bones, yeast extract, and salt, optionally flavored with rice wine.
OK

broad beans (fava beans)

Dried legumes that can be rehydrated and used in soups, stews, or as a side dish.
UPF

concentrated mushrooms

Mushroom concentrate used as a flavoring or stock base; a concentrated form of mushrooms.
UPF

Barley Malt Extract

Barley malt extract is a sweetener made from malted barley grains.
UPF

yeast extract

A flavor-enhancing extract produced from yeast cells, rich in amino acids and natural glutamates, commonly used to augment savory flavors.
OK

vinegar

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

dried mushrooms

Mushrooms that have been dehydrated for preservation and use; rehydrated before cooking.
OK

wheat flour

Ground wheat used as a basic baking/ cooking staple. A single-ingredient cereal product.
OK

ground black pepper

A fine powder made by grinding peppercorns (Piper nigrum); a common, pungent spice used to season savory dishes.
UPF

natural flavouring

A generic flavoring ingredient derived from natural sources used to impart aroma or taste; may include essential oils or extracts.
OK

iron

Essential mineral used as a nutrient or fortifying ingredient in foods.
OK

niacin (b3) and thiamin (b1)

Vitamins used for fortification in food products.

Common questions about Black Bean And Garlic Stir Fry Sauce

Is Black Bean And Garlic Stir Fry Sauce ultra-processed?

Yes — Black Bean And Garlic Stir Fry Sauce by M&S Food is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). This sauce is ultra-processed because it contains several industrial ingredients and additives, including concentrated mushrooms, yeast extract, barley malt extract, and natural flavouring. These are characteristic of ultra-processed foods under NOVA, as they are industrial formulations used to enhance flavour rather than basic culinary ingredients.

Which ingredients in Black Bean And Garlic Stir Fry Sauce are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 4 ingredients in Black Bean And Garlic Stir Fry Sauce as ultra-processed markers: concentrated mushrooms, Barley Malt Extract, yeast extract, natural 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.