Yes — Zingy Korean-style grains is ultra-processed.
The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains industrial ingredients/additives such as glucose syrup, fructose, maltodextrin, and colour: plain caramel. These are isolated, industrially processed sugars and additives used for texture, flavour, or appearance rather than basic culinary purposes, which places the product in the UPF category according to NOVA-style criteria.
Similar products that aren't ultra-processed — swap and keep the flavour.
Other ready meals Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
Caribbean Sweet Potsto soup
Tide Ford Organics
Not UPF
Chunky Keralan Chicken Soup
M&S Eat Well
Not UPF
Vegetable soup
New Covent Garden
Not UPF
Covent garden soup
Covent Garden Soup Co
Not UPF
Mushroom Soup
New Covent Garden Soup Co
Not UPF
Tomato & Basil
New Covent Garden Soup Co.
Not UPF
Chicken and Lentil with Butternut Squash
Yorkshire Provender
Not UPF
Tesco Three Bean Chilli Soup
Tesco
Not UPF
Lentil Dhal Soup
Sainsbury's
Not UPF
Yes — Zingy Korean-style grains by Merchant Gourmet is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains industrial ingredients/additives such as glucose syrup, fructose, maltodextrin, and colour: plain caramel. These are isolated, industrially processed sugars and additives used for texture, flavour, or appearance rather than basic culinary purposes, which places the product in the UPF category according to NOVA-style criteria.
Nomi flags 2 ingredients in Zingy Korean-style grains as ultra-processed markers: onion juice concentrate, paprika extract. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.
Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including Glorious grains by merchant gourmet, Quinoa red & white by Merchant Gourmet, Red and white quinoa by Aldi. 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.