Chicken and Chickpea Salad

Barcode 5056711100428

Yes — Chicken and Chickpea Salad is ultra-processed.

Not a great choice for everyday, despite its many wholesome ingredients.

This appears to be a chicken, chickpea, spelt, and roasted sweet potato salad with vegetables and yogurt. It is classified as ultra-processed because it contains yeast extract, a flavor-enhancing industrial ingredient, and colour (paprika extract), a pre-identified UPF additive. These ingredients contribute to the UPF classification despite the presence of many minimally processed foods and basic culinary ingredients.

Ingredients

2 ultra-processed markers

OK

chicken breast

Lean cut of chicken meat, with 20% weight from other ingredients or water as labeled.
OK

cornflour

Ground corn starch used as a thickening agent in cooking and baking.
UPF

yeast extract

A flavor-enhancing extract produced from yeast cells, rich in amino acids and natural glutamates, commonly used to augment savory flavors.
OK

onion powder

Dried and ground onion used as a seasoning to impart onion flavor.
OK

salt

Common mineral compound (sodium chloride) used as a seasoning and preservative across cuisines.
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

mushroom extract powder
OK

lemon juice powder
OK

cooked spelt water
OK

spelt

Spelt is an ancient wheat relative, used as grain or flour with a nutty flavor.
OK

chickpeas (16%)
OK

chilli roasted sweet potato (12%)
OK

sweet potato

A starchy root vegetable rich in beta-carotene, fiber, and vitamins. Commonly baked, boiled, or roasted.
OK

rapeseed oil

A basic culinary oil pressed from rapeseeds (Brassica napus). Used for frying, baking, and dressings. Neutral flavor.
OK

cayenne pepper

Dried and ground hot chili pepper (Capsicum annuum) known for its fiery heat, used to add pungency and warmth to dishes.
OK

smoked paprika

A spice made from dried, smoked, and ground red peppers (pimentón). Rich, sweet-smoky flavor with mild heat used in numerous cuisines including Spanish dishes.
OK

water

Essential base ingredient for countless foods and beverages; serves as solvent and texture modifier.
OK

roasted red pepper

Red bell pepper that has been roasted, sometimes peeled; used as a prepared ingredient in dishes.
OK

greek style yogurt (milk)

A strained dairy yogurt, typically thicker and tangier than regular yogurt, made from milk.
OK

paprika

A ground spice made from dried red peppers (Capsicum species), used for color and flavor in many cuisines.
OK

red onion

Red onion, a pungent bulb frequently used as a base flavor or garnish in cooking.
OK

spring onion

A fresh allium with a mild onion flavor, used as a garnish or in dishes.
OK

arugula (rocket)

Leafy green, peppery-tasting salad green often used raw in salads or as a garnish.
OK

red pepper (bell pepper)

A sweet, crisp red bell pepper pick or fresh pepper used for color, flavor, and nutrition; typically eaten raw or cooked.
OK

onion

A common bulb vegetable used as a base flavor in many cuisines. Crisp, pungent, sweet when cooked.
OK

fermented spirit vinegar
OK

lemon juice

The clear, acidic juice extracted from lemons, used for brightness and acidity in foods and drinks.
OK

spices

diverse plant extracts used to flavor foods; can refer to a mix of single or blended seasonings.
OK

extra virgin olive oil

A high-quality, cold-pressed olive oil pressed from olives, used as a cooking oil and dressing; basic culinary ingredient.
OK

garlic puree

A simple mashed garlic cloves, sometimes with a small amount of oil or salt; used as a flavoring or base ingredient.
OK

agave syrup

A traditional natural sweetener extracted from the sap of the agave plant, used as a sweetener in foods and beverages.
OK

lemon juice concentrate

Lemon juice that has been concentrated by removing water; used as a souring agent or flavoring in foods.
OK

chicken stock (water
OK

chicken bones)
OK

honey

A natural sweet viscous liquid produced by bees from floral nectar; widely used as a sweetener in foods.
OK

sugar

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

sea salt

A basic mineral-rich salt derived from evaporated seawater, used as a seasoning and preservative.
OK

olive oil

A basic culinary oil pressed from olives, used for cooking, dressing, and flavor.
OK

chilli

Chilli (chili pepper) is a pungent fruit used to add heat and spice to dishes. It is a natural plant product and widely used as a basic food ingredient.
OK

garlic powder

Dried, ground garlic used as a convenient, concentrated form of garlic flavoring in cooking.
UPF

colour (paprika extract)

Natural color additive derived from paprika used to impart a red-orange hue in foods.
OK

tomato powder

Powdered tomato used as a flavoring or ingredient, a minimally processed dried tomato product.
OK

oregano

A dried aromatic herb used as a spice in cooking, with a warm, slightly bitter flavor.

Common questions about Chicken and Chickpea Salad

Is Chicken and Chickpea Salad ultra-processed?

Yes — Chicken and Chickpea Salad is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). This appears to be a chicken, chickpea, spelt, and roasted sweet potato salad with vegetables and yogurt. It is classified as ultra-processed because it contains yeast extract, a flavor-enhancing industrial ingredient, and colour (paprika extract), a pre-identified UPF additive. These ingredients contribute to the UPF classification despite the presence of many minimally processed foods and basic culinary ingredients.

Which ingredients in Chicken and Chickpea Salad are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 2 ingredients in Chicken and Chickpea Salad as ultra-processed markers: yeast extract, colour (paprika extract). 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.