Yes — Chickpeas is ultra-processed.
The product contains sodium metabisulphite, a preservative additive. According to NOVA, the presence of industrial additives such as preservatives makes the food ultra-processed, even though the base ingredients (chickpeas, water) are minimally processed.
Other cupboard staples Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
Lentils in water
Essential Waitrose
Not UPF
Black eyed beans in water
Sainsburys
Not UPF
sainsburys haricot beans in water
Sainsburys
Not UPF
Mixed beans
M&S Food
Not UPF
Red Kidney Beans
Marks & Spencer
Not UPF
Double Stuffed Halkidiki Olives
Sainsbury's
Not UPF
Organic White Beans
Bold Bean Co
Not UPF
Coconut milk
Chaokoh
Not UPF
Red Kidney Beans
Sainsbury's
Not UPF
Red split lentils
Morrisons
Not UPF
Yes — Chickpeas by Asda is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product contains sodium metabisulphite, a preservative additive. According to NOVA, the presence of industrial additives such as preservatives makes the food ultra-processed, even though the base ingredients (chickpeas, water) are minimally processed.
Nomi flags one ingredient in Chickpeas as an ultra-processed marker: sodium metabisulfite. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.
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.
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.