Ben's

Spicy lentil stew

Barcode 5010034013568

Scanned 18 times by Nomi users

Yes — Spicy lentil stew is ultra-processed.

The product is ultra-processed because it contains several industrial additives and extracts, including yeast extract (pre-identified UPF ingredient), corn dextrin, maltodextrin, corn starch used as a processed additive, natural flavouring, and paprika oleoresin colour. These ingredients go beyond basic culinary processing and place the product in the NOVA ultra-processed category.

Ingredients

3 ultra-processed markers

OK

tomatoes (39%)
OK

brown lentils (14%)
OK

carrot

A root vegetable commonly used fresh or cooked; the (14%) indicates the carrot content percentage in the mixture.
OK

red bell pepper (7.4%)
OK

garlic

A bulbous aromatic spice used to impart savory flavor in cooking; can be used fresh, sautéed, roasted, or in powder form.
OK

red onion (5.8%)
OK

sunflower oil

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

tomato paste (2.2%)
OK

oats

Whole grain cereal from the Avena sativa plant; commonly consumed as a breakfast staple or used in baking.
OK

sugar

Granulated sugar derived from sugarcane or sugar beets; a basic, single-ingredient sweetener.
UPF

pea protein

Protein derived from yellow peas, often sold as powder or isolate for texturizing and fortification.
UPF

yeast extract

A flavor-enhancing extract produced from yeast cells, rich in amino acids and natural glutamates, commonly used to augment savory flavors.
OK

salt

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

corn dextrin
UPF

maltodextrin

A white powder made from starch that has been partially hydrolyzed; used as a thickener or filler and widely used as a food additive.
OK

mushroom powder

Powder derived from dried mushrooms, used as a seasoning or umami enhancer.
OK

basil

A leafy herb used fresh or dried to flavor dishes; not typically processed as a food ingredient beyond drying or freshness.
OK

corn starch

A refined starch extracted from corn, used as a thickening agent in foods.
OK

colour (paprika oleoresin)
OK

red chili

Dried or fresh ripe red peppers used to add heat and flavor to dishes.
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

thyme

A small, woody perennial herb with fragrant leaves used to flavor dishes, soups, and stews.
OK

oregano

A dried aromatic herb used as a spice in cooking, with a warm, slightly bitter flavor.
OK

natural flavouring (contains celery], green chilli. may contain: cashews, milk, mustard, peanuts, sesame, soya, barley, wheat. this product is made to a vegan recipe but as it is manufactured in a facility that uses milk, it is not suitable for people with a milk allergy. visit bersoriginal.co.uk or for more delicious)

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Common questions about Spicy lentil stew

Is Spicy lentil stew ultra-processed?

Yes — Spicy lentil stew by Ben's is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is ultra-processed because it contains several industrial additives and extracts, including yeast extract (pre-identified UPF ingredient), corn dextrin, maltodextrin, corn starch used as a processed additive, natural flavouring, and paprika oleoresin colour. These ingredients go beyond basic culinary processing and place the product in the NOVA ultra-processed category.

Which ingredients in Spicy lentil stew are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 3 ingredients in Spicy lentil stew as ultra-processed markers: pea protein, yeast extract, maltodextrin. 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.

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.