Tesco

Sardines in tomato sauce

Barcode 5054268027847

Scanned 15 times by Nomi users

Yes — Sardines in tomato sauce is ultra-processed.

Classified as ultra-processed because the ingredient list includes “flavouring,” which is an industrially produced additive/flavouring agent according to NOVA criteria. Other ingredients like sardines, tomato purée, sunflower oil, salt water, and sugar are not UPF by themselves, but the presence of industrial flavouring makes the overall product UPF.

Ingredients

1 ultra-processed marker

OK

sardine (fish)

Small, oily fish commonly canned; rich in omega-3 fatty acids and protein.
OK

tomato purée

Cooked, crushed tomato product; used as a base or sauce component in many dishes.
OK

sunflower oil

A neutral-tasting culinary oil pressed from sunflower seeds, rich in unsaturated fats and commonly used for frying and dressings.
OK

salt water

Sea water containing dissolved salts; used in some culinary contexts or as a solvent.
UPF

flavouring

A generic additive used to impart or enhance flavor; can be synthetic or derived from natural sources.
OK

sugar

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

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Common questions about Sardines in tomato sauce

Is Sardines in tomato sauce ultra-processed?

Yes — Sardines in tomato sauce by Tesco is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). Classified as ultra-processed because the ingredient list includes “flavouring,” which is an industrially produced additive/flavouring agent according to NOVA criteria. Other ingredients like sardines, tomato purée, sunflower oil, salt water, and sugar are not UPF by themselves, but the presence of industrial flavouring makes the overall product UPF.

Which ingredients in Sardines in tomato sauce are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags one ingredient in Sardines in tomato sauce as an ultra-processed marker: flavouring. 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.