Yes — Tikka masala sauce is ultra-processed.
This sauce is ultra-processed because it contains modified maize starch, which is an industrially processed thickener/stabiliser, making the overall product UPF under NOVA. Other ingredients are mostly culinary, but a single UPF-type additive is enough to classify the final product as UPF.
Other sauces, condiments & spreads Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
Buttersoft
By sainsbury's
Not UPF
Frank's Red Hot Original
Frank’s, French's
Not UPF
Red pepper houmous
Tesco
Not UPF
Smoky Roasted Red Pepper Houmous
Sainsbury's
Not UPF
Houmous
Waitrose Duchy Organic
Not UPF
Whole Grain Mustard
Bramwells
Not UPF
Lemon curd
Bonne Maman
Not UPF
Real Ketchup 485 g
Stokes
Not UPF
double concentré de tomates bio
Mutti
Not UPF
Passata
Cirio
Not UPF
Yes — Tikka masala sauce by Waitrose is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). This sauce is ultra-processed because it contains modified maize starch, which is an industrially processed thickener/stabiliser, making the overall product UPF under NOVA. Other ingredients are mostly culinary, but a single UPF-type additive is enough to classify the final product as UPF.
Nomi flags 2 ingredients in Tikka masala sauce as ultra-processed markers: lactic acid, colour (paprika extract). See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.
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.
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.