Inspired Cuisine

Sweet & Sour Chicken

Barcode 4061462108532

Yes — Sweet & Sour Chicken is ultra-processed.

The product is ultra-processed because it contains industrial additives and formulations, including barley malt vinegar (an industrially processed flavoring ingredient) and caramel colour (plain caramel), which is a color additive. These ingredients classify the product as ultra-processed under NOVA.

Ingredients

No ultra-processed markers

OK

cooked chicken breast (25%) (chicken, com flour)
OK

cooked long grain rice (water, long grain rice)
OK

water

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

onion

A common bulb vegetable used as a base flavor in many cuisines. Crisp, pungent, sweet when cooked.
OK

red peppers

Fresh bell peppers; sweet, crunchy vegetables used as a vegetable. Ready-to-eat raw ingredient.
OK

barley malt vinegar

A vinegar produced by fermenting barley malt with acetic acid bacteria to create a tangy, acidic liquid used in pickling, condiments, and dressings.
OK

peas

Small, round, green legumes typically used as a vegetable.
OK

pineapple

A tropical fruit with a sweet, tart flavor and edible flesh. Commonly eaten fresh or used in cooking and beverages.
OK

tomato purée

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

sugar

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

ginger purée

A smooth paste made from ginger, used to impart ginger flavor in sauces and dishes.
OK

corn flour (cornstarch)

Fine flour derived from corn used as a thickener in sauces and gravies.
OK

garlic purée

Pureed garlic, often used as a flavoring base.
OK

soy sauce [soy sauce (water, soya beans, wheat, salt, alcohol)
OK

colour: plain caramel; sugar
OK

salt

A basic mineral seasoning used to flavour foods; widely used across cuisines.
OK

rapeseed oil

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

salt

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

red chillies

Chili peppers used whole or dried to add heat and flavor to dishes.

Swap it for something less processed

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Common questions about Sweet & Sour Chicken

Is Sweet & Sour Chicken ultra-processed?

Yes — Sweet & Sour Chicken by Inspired Cuisine is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is ultra-processed because it contains industrial additives and formulations, including barley malt vinegar (an industrially processed flavoring ingredient) and caramel colour (plain caramel), which is a color additive. These ingredients classify the product as ultra-processed under NOVA.

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.