Nomi
UPF Food Scanner
Know what’s really in your food
Get the free app
Ben's Mexican style by Uncle Ben
Uncle Ben

Ben's Mexican style

Barcode 5010034013803
Scanned  53  times by Nomi users
Ultra-Processed Food (UPF)

Yes — Ben's Mexican style is ultra-processed.

This rice dish is ultra-processed because it contains several industrially processed ingredients and additives. Natural flavouring is an industrial flavour formulation, yeast extract is a flavour enhancer, and citric acid is an added acidity regulator. The presence of these extracted and formulated additives classifies the product as ultra-processed under NOVA.

Ingredients

3 ultra-processed markers
  • OK
    steamed parboiled long grain rice
    A basic cereal grain product, steamed and parboiled to shorten cooking time; widely used as a staple food.
  • OK
    red pepper
    A fresh vegetable (capsicum) used as a vegetable or spice in dishes; commonly consumed raw or cooked.
  • OK
    double concentrated tomato paste
    Concentrated tomato paste; a pantry staple used to add tomato flavor and thickness in sauces and soups.
  • OK
    sunflower oil
    A neutral-tasting culinary oil pressed from sunflower seeds, rich in unsaturated fats and commonly used for frying and dressings.
  • UPF
    natural flavouring
    A generic flavoring ingredient derived from natural sources used to impart aroma or taste; may include essential oils or extracts.
  • OK
    spices
    diverse plant extracts used to flavor foods; can refer to a mix of single or blended seasonings.
  • OK
    jalapeño pepper
    A moderately hot chili pepper used fresh, pickled, or cooked in a wide range of cuisines. Green when young, turning red as it matures.
  • OK
    salt
    Common mineral compound (sodium chloride) used as a seasoning and preservative across cuisines.
  • OK
    onion powder
    Dried and ground onion used as a seasoning to impart onion flavor.
  • UPF
    yeast extract
    A flavor-enhancing extract produced from yeast cells, rich in amino acids and natural glutamates, commonly used to augment savory flavors.
  • UPF
    citric acid
    A sour-tasting organic acid used as an acidulant and preservative in foods. Commonly added in small amounts to adjust acidity.
  • OK
    garlic powder
    Dried, ground garlic used as a convenient, concentrated form of garlic flavoring in cooking.

Healthier alternatives

Reviewed by Nomi

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

Good Grains Spanish Style Grains
Not Ultra-Processed
Good Grains Spanish Style Grains
Worldwide Foods, Aldi, Aldi Worldwide Foods
View product →
Brown, Red & Wild Wholegrain Rice
Not Ultra-Processed
Brown, Red & Wild Wholegrain Rice
Merchant Gourmet
View product →
Caribbean Rice & Peas Basmati Rice
Not Ultra-Processed
Caribbean Rice & Peas Basmati Rice
Tilda
View product →

Swap it for something less processed

See all Ready Meals →

Other ready meals Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.

Common questions about Ben's Mexican style

Is Ben's Mexican style ultra-processed?

Yes — Ben's Mexican style by Uncle Ben is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). This rice dish is ultra-processed because it contains several industrially processed ingredients and additives. Natural flavouring is an industrial flavour formulation, yeast extract is a flavour enhancer, and citric acid is an added acidity regulator. The presence of these extracted and formulated additives classifies the product as ultra-processed under NOVA.

Which ingredients in Ben's Mexican style are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 3 ingredients in Ben's Mexican style as ultra-processed markers: natural flavouring, yeast extract, citric acid. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.

What are healthier alternatives to Ben's Mexican style?

Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including Good Grains Spanish Style Grains by Worldwide Foods, Aldi, Aldi Worldwide Foods, Brown, Red & Wild Wholegrain Rice by Merchant Gourmet, Caribbean Rice & Peas Basmati Rice by Tilda. 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.

BBC As seen on The One Show

Scan it yourself,
right in the aisle

This page was shared from Nomi, the free app that tells you instantly whether any food is ultra-processed.

  • Scan any barcode — or photograph the ingredients label
  • Every ingredient explained in plain English
  • Daily check-ins show how food affects how you feel
  • Save favourites and build a healthier shopping list
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play

Free download · No subscription needed to start scanning

Nomi monthly wellbeing report
Nomi scan result screen

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.

Nomi — UPF Scanner Free on iOS & Android
Get the app