Essential Waitrose, Waitrose

Sardines in tomato sauce

Barcode 5000169035115

Scanned 12 times by Nomi users

No — Sardines in tomato sauce is not ultra-processed.

Ingredients are basic culinary items (sardines, water, tomato purée, sunflower oil, salt) with no industrial additives, refined industrial syrups, flavourings, or emulsifiers, so this is not considered ultra-processed under NOVA.

Ingredients

No ultra-processed markers

OK

sardines (sardina pilchardus) (fish) (70%)
OK

water

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

tomato purée

Processed tomato product often used as a base or sauce ingredient.
OK

sunflower oil

A neutral-tasting culinary oil pressed from sunflower seeds, rich in unsaturated fats and commonly used for frying and dressings.
OK

salt

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

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Common questions about Sardines in tomato sauce

Is Sardines in tomato sauce ultra-processed?

No — Sardines in tomato sauce by Essential Waitrose, Waitrose is not ultra-processed, so it is not a UPF (ultra-processed food). Ingredients are basic culinary items (sardines, water, tomato purée, sunflower oil, salt) with no industrial additives, refined industrial syrups, flavourings, or emulsifiers, so this is not considered 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.