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Smoked Haddock Fish Cakes by Tesco
Tesco

Smoked Haddock Fish Cakes

Barcode 5054775579587
Scanned  29  times by Nomi users
Ultra-Processed Food (UPF)

Yes — Smoked Haddock Fish Cakes is ultra-processed.

The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains several industrially processed additives and ingredients, including modified maize starch, colour (paprika extract), and black pepper extract. These are extracted, modified, or isolated additives used for texture, stability, and color, which fall under NOVA’s ultra-processed category. Other components like potassium sorbate (preservative) and added colours (curcumin, annatto norbixin) further support the UPF classification.

Ingredients

3 ultra-processed markers
  • OK
    smoked haddock (26%) [haddock (fish)
  • OK
    salt
    Common mineral compound (sodium chloride) used as a seasoning and preservative across cuisines.
  • OK
    colours (curcumin, annatto norbixin)]
  • OK
    haddock (fish) (14%)
  • OK
    potato
    A starchy tuber, a common staple food used as a vegetable. Can be prepared in many ways (boiled, fried, baked).
  • OK
    wheat flour
    A basic grain-based flour from wheat used as a primary ingredient in baking and cooking.
  • OK
    calcium carbonate
    A basic inorganic calcium salt used as a nutrition supplement and anticaking agent in foods.
  • OK
    iron
    Essential mineral used as a nutrient or fortifying ingredient in foods.
  • OK
    niacin (vitamin b3)
    A water-soluble vitamin used as a nutrient and often added to foods as a fortifying vitamin.
  • OK
    thiamin
    A water-soluble B vitamin used as a nutrient and fortification ingredient.
  • OK
    water
    Essential base ingredient for countless foods and beverages; serves as solvent and texture modifier.
  • OK
    rapeseed oil
    A basic culinary oil pressed from rapeseeds (Brassica napus). Used for frying, baking, and dressings. Neutral flavor.
  • OK
    dried potato
    Dried form of potato used as a processed ingredient or snack base; essentially dehydrated potato.
  • OK
    double cream
    A high-fat dairy cream skimmed from cow’s milk, commonly used for whipping and adding richness to dishes.
  • OK
    wheat starch
    Starch extracted from wheat grain, used as a thickener, filler, or texture modifier in foods.
  • OK
    whole milk
    Milk with no or minimal fat removal, commonly used as a dairy beverage and ingredient.
  • OK
    extra mature cheddar cheese (milk)
  • OK
    durum wheat semolina
    Coarsely ground durum wheat flour used especially for making pasta; high in gluten.
  • OK
    medium fat soft cheese [medium fat soft cheese (milk)
  • UPF
    modified maize starch
    A processed starch, often used as a thickener or binding agent in foods; may be treated to modify properties.
  • OK
    sea salt
    A basic mineral-rich salt derived from evaporated seawater, used as a seasoning and preservative.
  • OK
    preservative (potassium sorbate)]
  • OK
    chive
    Herb from the Allium family with mild onion-like flavor, used fresh as a garnish.
  • OK
    onion
    A common bulb vegetable used as a base flavor in many cuisines. Crisp, pungent, sweet when cooked.
  • OK
    cornflour
    Ground corn starch used as a thickening agent in cooking and baking.
  • OK
    wheat gluten
    Gluten from wheat; a protein complex used as a food ingredient to provide elasticity and structure in doughs and meat substitutes (e.g., seitan).
  • OK
    butter (milk)
    A dairy fat product made from churning cream; commonly used in cooking and baking.
  • OK
    lemon juice
    The clear, acidic juice extracted from lemons, used for brightness and acidity in foods and drinks.
  • OK
    fish gelatin
    A gel-forming protein extract derived from fish collagen, used as a gelling agent in foods.
  • OK
    worcestershire sauce [water
  • OK
    spirit vinegar
    A clear, distilled vinegar typically made from fermented alcohol (ethanol) and used for pickling, flavoring, and preservation.
  • OK
    molasses
    A thick, dark syrup produced during sugar refining, rich in flavor and used in baking and cooking.
  • OK
    sugar
    Granulated sugar derived from sugarcane or sugar beets; a basic, single-ingredient sweetener.
  • OK
    tamarind concentrate
    A concentrated paste derived from tamarind fruit, used as a souring agent and flavor enhancer in sauces, curries, and chutneys.
  • OK
    onion powder
    Dried and ground onion used as a seasoning to impart onion flavor.
  • OK
    garlic powder
    Dried, ground garlic used as a convenient, concentrated form of garlic flavoring in cooking.
  • OK
    white pepper
    A spice ground from ripe peppercorns with the outer husk removed, used to impart mild heat and aroma to dishes.
  • OK
    pimento
  • OK
    ginger
    A pungent, aromatic rhizome used fresh or dried in cooking and beverages.
  • OK
    paprika
    A ground spice made from dried red peppers (Capsicum species), used for color and flavor in many cuisines.
  • OK
    clove]
  • OK
    olive oil
    A basic culinary oil pressed from olives, used for cooking, dressing, and flavor.
  • OK
    yeast
    A living microorganism used as a leavening agent in baking.
  • OK
    sunflower oil
    A neutral-tasting culinary oil pressed from sunflower seeds, rich in unsaturated fats and commonly used for frying and dressings.
  • OK
    parsley
    A fresh green herb used to flavor and garnish dishes; commonly added chopped leaves.
  • UPF
    colour (paprika extract)
    Natural color additive derived from paprika used to impart a red-orange hue in foods.
  • UPF
    black pepper extract
    A concentrated extract from black pepper used to impart aroma and slight heat.

Healthier alternatives

Reviewed by Nomi

Similar products that aren't ultra-processed — swap and keep the flavour.

Swap it for something less processed

See all Fish & Seafood →

Other fish & seafood Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.

Common questions about Smoked Haddock Fish Cakes

Is Smoked Haddock Fish Cakes ultra-processed?

Yes — Smoked Haddock Fish Cakes by Tesco is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains several industrially processed additives and ingredients, including modified maize starch, colour (paprika extract), and black pepper extract. These are extracted, modified, or isolated additives used for texture, stability, and color, which fall under NOVA’s ultra-processed category. Other components like potassium sorbate (preservative) and added colours (curcumin, annatto norbixin) further support the UPF classification.

Which ingredients in Smoked Haddock Fish Cakes are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 3 ingredients in Smoked Haddock Fish Cakes as ultra-processed markers: modified maize starch, colour (paprika extract), black pepper extract. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.

What are healthier alternatives to Smoked Haddock Fish Cakes?

Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including Mini Thai-Style Fishcakes by Waitrose, 2 Scottish Salmon Fishcakes by Marks & Spencer, 2 Smoked Salmon & Rocket Fishcakes 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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