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Ainsley Harriott Roasted Vegetable Couscous by Ainsley Harriott
Ainsley Harriott

Ainsley Harriott Roasted Vegetable Couscous

Barcode 5050665015845
Scanned  43  times by Nomi users
Ultra-Processed Food (UPF)

Yes — Ainsley Harriott Roasted Vegetable Couscous is ultra-processed.

This product is ultra-processed because it contains industrial ingredients and additives such as maltodextrin, palm oil, and natural flavourings, which are characteristic of NOVA Group 4 ultra-processed foods.

Ingredients

4 ultra-processed markers
  • OK
    dried couscous
    Coarsely processed durum wheat semolina formed into small granular beads (couscous).
  • OK
    dried vegetables (mixed)
    Dried mixed vegetables including tomato, red onion, red pepper, and green pepper.
  • UPF
    maltodextrin
    A white powder made from starch that has been partially hydrolyzed; used as a thickener or filler and widely used as a food additive.
  • OK
    sugar
    Granulated sugar derived from sugarcane or sugar beets; a basic, single-ingredient sweetener.
  • OK
    tomato powder
    Powdered tomato used as a flavoring or ingredient, a minimally processed dried tomato product.
  • UPF
    palm oil
    A widely used edible oil pressed from the fruit of oil palms; a basic culinary oil but highly processed in many commercial products.
  • OK
    salt
    Common mineral compound (sodium chloride) used as a seasoning and preservative across cuisines.
  • UPF
    natural flavourings (contain barley)
    Natural flavourings derived from barley; flavourings are considered additives.
  • OK
    onion powder
    Dried and ground onion used as a seasoning to impart onion flavor.
  • OK
    garlic powder
    A dried, ground form of garlic used as a spice to impart garlic flavor in dishes.
  • OK
    grilled red and yellow pepper
    Peppers that have been grilled to develop a smoky flavor; used as a flavoring or ingredient.
  • OK
    dried herbs (thyme, marjoram, parsley, oregano)
    A blend of dried culinary herbs including thyme, marjoram, parsley and oregano commonly used for seasoning.
  • OK
    sage
    An aromatic herb (Salvia officinalis) used to flavor meats, stuffings, and sauces; leaves are edible.
  • OK
    basil
    A leafy herb used fresh or dried to flavor dishes; not typically processed as a food ingredient beyond drying or freshness.
  • UPF
    colours (paprika extract)
    A natural colorant derived from paprika used to impart red-orange color to foods.
  • OK
    curcumin
    Active component of turmeric; a yellow pigment used as a spice and colorant.

Healthier alternatives

Reviewed by Nomi

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Common questions about Ainsley Harriott Roasted Vegetable Couscous

Is Ainsley Harriott Roasted Vegetable Couscous ultra-processed?

Yes — Ainsley Harriott Roasted Vegetable Couscous by Ainsley Harriott is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). This product is ultra-processed because it contains industrial ingredients and additives such as maltodextrin, palm oil, and natural flavourings, which are characteristic of NOVA Group 4 ultra-processed foods.

Which ingredients in Ainsley Harriott Roasted Vegetable Couscous are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 4 ingredients in Ainsley Harriott Roasted Vegetable Couscous as ultra-processed markers: maltodextrin, palm oil, natural flavourings (contain barley), colours (paprika extract). See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.

What are healthier alternatives to Ainsley Harriott Roasted Vegetable Couscous?

Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including Sweet & Fluffy Cous Cous by Sainsbury's, Wholewheat Couscous by Sainsburys, Moroccan style Fruity Couscous by Marks & Spencer. 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.

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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.

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