Tomato Sauce

Barcode 5000157414786

No — Tomato Sauce is not ultra-processed.

The ingredient list is valid and consists of tomato, onion, basil, sugar, salt, citric acid (an acidity regulator), and ascorbic acid (vitamin C as an antioxidant). These are basic culinary ingredients and simple additives used for preservation and acidity control, not the kinds of industrial formulations or cosmetic additives (emulsifiers, thickeners, artificial sweeteners, industrial syrups, flavorings, etc.) that define ultra-processed foods in NOVA. Therefore this tomato sauce would not be classified as ultra-processed.

Ingredients

No ultra-processed markers

OK

tomato (94%)
OK

onion

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

basil (0.5%)
OK

sugar

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

salt

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

citric acid

A naturally occurring weak organic acid used as an acidity regulator and preservative in foods and beverages.
OK

ascorbic acid (vitamin c)

A common antioxidant used to preserve foods and boost vitamin C intake.

Common questions about Tomato Sauce

Is Tomato Sauce ultra-processed?

No — Tomato Sauce is not ultra-processed, so it is not a UPF (ultra-processed food). The ingredient list is valid and consists of tomato, onion, basil, sugar, salt, citric acid (an acidity regulator), and ascorbic acid (vitamin C as an antioxidant). These are basic culinary ingredients and simple additives used for preservation and acidity control, not the kinds of industrial formulations or cosmetic additives (emulsifiers, thickeners, artificial sweeteners, industrial syrups, flavorings, etc.) that define ultra-processed foods in NOVA. Therefore this tomato sauce would not be classified as ultra-processed.

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.