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Tikka masala sauce by Waitrose
Waitrose

Tikka masala sauce

Barcode 5000169619728
Ultra-Processed Food (UPF)

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.

Ingredients

2 ultra-processed markers
  • OK
    water
    Essential base ingredient for countless foods and beverages; serves as solvent and texture modifier.
  • OK
    single cream (milk) (7%)
  • OK
    tomatoes (6%)
  • OK
    yogurt (4%) (whole milk, skimmed milk powder)
  • OK
    concentrated tomato purée (3%)
  • OK
    modified maine starch
  • OK
    sugar
    Granulated sugar derived from sugarcane or sugar beets; a basic, single-ingredient sweetener.
  • OK
    rapeseed oil
    A basic culinary oil pressed from rapeseeds (Brassica napus). Used for frying, baking, and dressings. Neutral flavor.
  • OK
    dried onions
    Dehydrated onion flakes or powder used to impart onion flavour; essentially a preserved form of a basic vegetable.
  • OK
    dried coriander leaf (1.0%)
  • OK
    ginger purée
    A smooth paste made from ginger, used to impart ginger flavor in sauces and dishes.
  • OK
    garlic purée
    Pureed garlic, often used as a flavoring base.
  • OK
    ground coriander (1.0%)
  • OK
    ground paprika
    A ground spice made from dried peppers, used for color and flavor.
  • OK
    salt
    Common mineral compound (sodium chloride) used as a seasoning and preservative across cuisines.
  • OK
    ground smoked paprika
    Powdered spice made from dried, smoke-cured peppers. A basic single-ingredient spice used for seasoning; not an ultra-processed ingredient.
  • UPF
    lactic acid
    A naturally occurring organic acid used as a acidity regulator and preservative in foods; often added as E270 to adjust pH and inhibit microbial growth.
  • OK
    ground cumin
    A spice made from dried, ground seeds of Cuminum cyminum. Warm, earthy, slightly citrusy flavor commonly used in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Mexican cuisines.
  • OK
    ground turmeric ground fenugreek (0.2%)
  • UPF
    colour (paprika extract)
    Natural color additive derived from paprika used to impart a red-orange hue in foods.
  • OK
    ground cardamom
    Ground cardamom is the finely crushed form of whole cardamom pods, offering warm, sweet, and spicy notes.
  • OK
    ground cinnamon
    A spice derived from the inner bark of Cinnamomum trees, ground into fine powder for flavoring and aroma in foods.
  • OK
    ground fennel
    Finely ground fennel seeds, a common spice used for flavoring and digestive aid.
  • OK
    ground chilli pepper
    Ground dried red chili peppers, varying in heat (capsicum species), used to spice dishes; commonly labeled as chili powder or ground chile in some cuisines.
  • OK
    ground clove
    A ground spice made from the dried flower buds of the clove tree (Syzygium aromaticum); used to impart warm, aromatic flavor.
  • OK
    dried fenugreek leaf allergy advice: for allergens see ingredients in bold. may also contain peanuts and nuts

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Common questions about Tikka masala sauce

Is Tikka masala sauce ultra-processed?

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.

Which ingredients in Tikka masala sauce are ultra-processed?

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.

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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