Tesco

Chinese Five Spice

Barcode 5031021125576

No — Chinese Five Spice is not ultra-processed.

All listed ingredients are whole spices (star anise, cinnamon, fennel, black pepper, clove) with no industrial additives, refined syrups, or processing aids. This is a simple mixture of minimally processed ingredients, so it is not ultra-processed under NOVA.

Ingredients

No ultra-processed markers

OK

star anise

A dried fruit of Illicium verum, used whole or ground as a spice and flavoring.
OK

cinnamon

A sweet-spicy bark spice with warm, woody notes often used in baking and savory dishes.
OK

fennel

A flavorful, aromatic herb with feathery leaves and a bulbous base, used as an herb or vegetable in cooking.
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

clove

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Common questions about Chinese Five Spice

Is Chinese Five Spice ultra-processed?

No — Chinese Five Spice by Tesco is not ultra-processed, so it is not a UPF (ultra-processed food). All listed ingredients are whole spices (star anise, cinnamon, fennel, black pepper, clove) with no industrial additives, refined syrups, or processing aids. This is a simple mixture of minimally processed ingredients, so it is not ultra-processed under NOVA.

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.