Yes — Rich hoisin sauce is ultra-processed.
The sauce contains glucose-fructose syrup and modified maize starch, which are industrially processed ingredients characteristic of ultra-processed foods, along with added colour (ammonia caramel).
Similar products that aren't ultra-processed — swap and keep the flavour.
Other sauces, condiments & spreads Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
Houmous
Waitrose Duchy Organic
Not UPF
Whole Grain Mustard
Bramwells
Not UPF
Lemon curd
Bonne Maman
Not UPF
Real Ketchup 485 g
Stokes
Not UPF
double concentré de tomates bio
Mutti
Not UPF
Passata
Cirio
Not UPF
Fiery Goan Curry
The Spice Tailor
Not UPF
Sun dried dried tomato pesto
Filippo Berio
Not UPF
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Houmous
Waitrose
Not UPF
Smooth Peanut Butter
The Foodie Market
Not UPF
Yes — Rich hoisin sauce by Blue Dragon is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The sauce contains glucose-fructose syrup and modified maize starch, which are industrially processed ingredients characteristic of ultra-processed foods, along with added colour (ammonia caramel).
Nomi flags 2 ingredients in Rich hoisin sauce as ultra-processed markers: glucose-fructose syrup, modified maize starch. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.
Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including Kee Hoisin Sauce by Lee Kum Kee, Hoisin Sauce by Cottage Delight. See the healthier alternatives above for details.
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.
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.