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Chicken pad thai by Waitrose
Waitrose

Chicken pad thai

Barcode 5000169426937
Scanned  6  times by Nomi users
Ultra-Processed Food (UPF)

Yes — Chicken pad thai is ultra-processed.

The ingredient list is valid. The product is ultra-processed because it contains palm oil, which the NOVA-based rules classify as an ultra-processed refined oil. Presence of any UPF ingredient makes the overall product UPF.

Ingredients

1 ultra-processed marker
  • OK
    cooked rice noodles (rice flour, water, rapeseed oil)
  • OK
    sliced chicken thigh (21%)
  • OK
    onion
    A common bulb vegetable used as a base flavor in many cuisines. Crisp, pungent, sweet when cooked.
  • OK
    bean sprouts
  • OK
    carrot
    A root vegetable used widely in cooking for sweetness, texture, and color.
  • OK
    water
    Essential base ingredient for countless foods and beverages; serves as solvent and texture modifier.
  • OK
    roasted peanuts
  • OK
    sliced red chilli
  • 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
    diced garlic
  • OK
    coconut extract
    A flavoring derived from coconuts, used to impart coconut flavor or aroma. Depending on processing, may be a simple extract.
  • OK
    galangal
  • OK
    anchovy extract (fish)
  • OK
    spring greens
  • OK
    spring onion
    A fresh allium with a mild onion flavor, used as a garnish or in dishes.
  • OK
    lime juice
    Juice extracted from limes; a basic culinary ingredient used for acidity and flavor.
  • OK
    garlic purée
    Pureed garlic, often used as a flavoring base.
  • OK
    toasted sesame oil
    A flavorful, nutty oil pressed from toasted sesame seeds commonly used for finishing dishes or in dressings and marinades.
  • 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
    ginger purée
    A smooth paste made from ginger, used to impart ginger flavor in sauces and dishes.
  • OK
    tamarind paste
    Concentrated paste made from tamarind fruit, used as a souring agent and flavor enhancer.
  • OK
    lemon grass purée
  • OK
    lime leaf
  • OK
    chopped red chilli
  • OK
    coriander leaves
    Fresh herb with bright, citrusy flavor used as garnish or flavoring.
  • OK
    turmeric
    A bright orange-yellow root commonly used as a spice and for its active compound curcumin, with warm, earthy, slightly peppery flavor.
  • OK
    spirit vinegar
    A clear, distilled vinegar typically made from fermented alcohol (ethanol) and used for pickling, flavoring, and preservation.
  • UPF
    palm oil
    A widely used edible oil pressed from the fruit of oil palms; a basic culinary oil but highly processed in many commercial products.
  • OK
    paprika
    A ground spice made from dried red peppers (Capsicum species), used for color and flavor in many cuisines.
  • OK
    onion powder
    Dried and ground onion used as a seasoning to impart onion flavor.
  • OK
    chilli powder
    Ground dried chili peppers used as a spice to add heat and flavor in dishes. It is a basic single-ingredient spice.
  • OK
    fermented soya bean
  • OK
    wheat
    A staple cereal grain used in foods; a basic ingredient in flour, bread, and many products.

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Common questions about Chicken pad thai

Is Chicken pad thai ultra-processed?

Yes — Chicken pad thai by Waitrose is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The ingredient list is valid. The product is ultra-processed because it contains palm oil, which the NOVA-based rules classify as an ultra-processed refined oil. Presence of any UPF ingredient makes the overall product UPF.

Which ingredients in Chicken pad thai are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags one ingredient in Chicken pad thai as an ultra-processed marker: palm oil. 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.

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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.

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