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Tikka Masala by Loyd Grossman
Loyd Grossman

Tikka Masala

Barcode 5000354159589
Scanned  66  times by Nomi users
Ultra-Processed Food (UPF)

Yes — Tikka Masala is ultra-processed.

The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains modified maize starch, which is an industrially processed thickener/additive and considered a UPF ingredient under the NOVA classification system. Other ingredients are mostly minimally processed or culinary ingredients (tomatoes, onion, oils, dairy, spices, honey, sugar), but the presence of modified maize starch is sufficient to classify the overall product as UPF.

Ingredients

1 ultra-processed marker
  • OK
    tomatoes
    Fresh tomatoes; a common vegetable/fruit ingredient used in cooking.
  • OK
    fried onion
    Onions fried or sautéed in rapeseed oil; a prepared vegetable ingredient.
  • OK
    tomato purée
    A tomato-based concentrate obtained by cooking down tomatoes, commonly used as a base or seasoning in dishes.
  • OK
    double cream
    Rich dairy cream; a dairy product used as a cooking 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
    honey
    A traditional natural sweetener produced by bees from floral nectar.
  • OK
    water
    Essential base ingredient for countless foods and beverages; serves as solvent and texture modifier.
  • OK
    yogurt
    Fermented dairy product made from milk with live cultures; often consumed as a dairy dessert or snack.
  • OK
    ginger purée
    A smooth paste made from ginger, used to impart ginger flavor in sauces and dishes.
  • OK
    coriander (cilantro seeds)
    Dried seeds of the coriander plant (Coriandrum sativum). Warm, citrusy flavor used ground or as whole seeds in spice blends and curries.
  • OK
    garlic purée
    Pureed garlic, often used as a flavoring base.
  • OK
    coconut cream
    Rich, creamy extract from grated coconut flesh; used as a dairy-free fat or base in recipes.
  • OK
    sugar
    Granulated sugar derived from sugarcane or sugar beets; a basic, single-ingredient sweetener.
  • OK
    sea salt
    A basic mineral-rich salt derived from evaporated seawater, used as a seasoning and preservative.
  • OK
    lemon juice concentrate
    Lemon juice that has been concentrated by removing water; used as a souring agent or flavoring in foods.
  • OK
    cumin
    A warm, earthy spice from the seeds of the Cuminum cyminum plant, common in spice blends.
  • OK
    rapeseed oil
    A basic culinary oil pressed from rapeseeds (Brassica napus). Used for frying, baking, and dressings. Neutral flavor.
  • OK
    creamed coconut
    A coconut product made by processing coconut meat into a creamy paste or block, used as a dairy-free cream substitute or flavoring.
  • UPF
    modified maize starch
    A processed starch, often used as a thickener or binding agent in foods; may be treated to modify properties.
  • OK
    fenugreek leaf
    Dried leaves of the fenugreek plant, used as an herb/spice for aroma and flavor in cooking and traditional medicine.
  • OK
    chili pepper
    Bright, hot peppers used fresh or dried to add heat and flavor to dishes; a common spice/vegetable in many cuisines.
  • OK
    cassia (chinese cinnamon)
    Bark from Cinnamomum cassia, closely related to true cinnamon with a strong, sweet-spicy flavor; used ground or as sticks in baking and savory dishes.
  • OK
    caraway
    A spice derived from the seeds of Carum carvi, with a warm, sweet, anise-like flavor used in breads, curries, and pickles.
  • OK
    fenugreek seed
    Small, dried seeds of the fenugreek plant (Trigonella foenum-graecum), used as a spice with a slightly bitter, maple-like aroma.
  • OK
    black pepper
    A common spice made from dried peppercorns of the Piper nigrum plant, used to add pungent heat and aroma to dishes.
  • 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
    clove
  • OK
    nutmeg and cardamom
    A blend of ground nutmeg and cardamom spices used for flavoring and aroma in cooking and baking.

Healthier alternatives

Reviewed by Nomi

Similar products that aren't ultra-processed — swap and keep the flavour.

Swap it for something less processed

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Other sauces, condiments & spreads Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.

Common questions about Tikka Masala

Is Tikka Masala ultra-processed?

Yes — Tikka Masala by Loyd Grossman is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains modified maize starch, which is an industrially processed thickener/additive and considered a UPF ingredient under the NOVA classification system. Other ingredients are mostly minimally processed or culinary ingredients (tomatoes, onion, oils, dairy, spices, honey, sugar), but the presence of modified maize starch is sufficient to classify the overall product as UPF.

Which ingredients in Tikka Masala are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags one ingredient in Tikka Masala as an ultra-processed marker: modified maize starch. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.

What are healthier alternatives to Tikka Masala?

Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including Tikka masala simmer sauce by Biona Organic, Tailor Original Tikka Masala by The Spice Tailor, Tikka Masala Curry Paste by Geo Organics. See the healthier alternatives above for details.

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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