Soy Garlic Sauce

Barcode 5010338101909

Yes — Soy Garlic Sauce is ultra-processed.

The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains several industrial additives and formulations, including modified maize starch (a chemically modified starch used as a thickener/stabilizer), yeast extract and yeast extract paste (flavor enhancers), and colour (plain caramel) (an added coloring agent). These ingredients go beyond basic culinary processing and fit NOVA’s definition of ultra-processed foods.

Ingredients

3 ultra-processed markers

OK

water

Essential base ingredient for countless foods and beverages; serves as solvent and texture modifier.
OK

sugars
OK

cooked light soy sauce (8%)
OK

salt

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

soy beans
OK

roasted wheat
OK

sugar

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

alcohol

A generic alcoholic beverage or ingredient containing ethanol used for flavoring, extraction, or preservation.
OK

barley

A whole grain used in cooking and brewing; a basic cereal ingredient.
OK

malt vinegar

A vinegar produced from malted barley; a sour, acidic seasoning used in condiments and pickling.
OK

concentrated tomato paste

Concentrated, cooked tomato product used to impart tomato flavor and color; typically a basic vegetable product.
OK

garlic purée

Pureed garlic, often used as a flavoring base.
OK

molasses

A thick, dark syrup produced during sugar refining, rich in flavor and used in baking and cooking.
UPF

modified maize starch

A processed starch, often used as a thickener or binding agent in foods; may be treated to modify properties.
OK

oil

Basic culinary oil, likely vegetable or seed oil used for frying or cooking; neutral flavor profile.
OK

sesame oil

A purely extracted oil from sesame seeds used for cooking and finishing; a common culinary oil.
OK

smoked paprika

A spice made from dried, smoked, and ground red peppers (pimentón). Rich, sweet-smoky flavor with mild heat used in numerous cuisines including Spanish dishes.
OK

pepper

Ground pepper or whole peppercorns, a common spice used to season foods.
OK

yeast extract paste
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

plain caramel color

A food coloring produced by heating carbohydrates (often corn or sugar) with acids or alkalis to form a caramel color. Common in beverages and snacks.

Common questions about Soy Garlic Sauce

Is Soy Garlic Sauce ultra-processed?

Yes — Soy Garlic Sauce is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains several industrial additives and formulations, including modified maize starch (a chemically modified starch used as a thickener/stabilizer), yeast extract and yeast extract paste (flavor enhancers), and colour (plain caramel) (an added coloring agent). These ingredients go beyond basic culinary processing and fit NOVA’s definition of ultra-processed foods.

Which ingredients in Soy Garlic Sauce are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 3 ingredients in Soy Garlic Sauce as ultra-processed markers: modified maize starch, yeast extract, plain caramel color. 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.