Nomi
UPF Food Scanner
Know what’s really in your food
Get the free app
Sweet Potato Bean Bowl by Tesco Plant Chef
Tesco Plant Chef

Sweet Potato Bean Bowl

Barcode 5059697389528
Ultra-Processed Food (UPF)

Yes — Sweet Potato Bean Bowl is ultra-processed.

A convenient vegan meal, but not ideal for everyday eating.

This is a prepared vegan meal centered on sweet potato, beans, vegetables, rice, and herbs. It is classified as ultra-processed because it contains stabilisers (methyl cellulose and sodium alginate), which are industrially formulated additives, as well as flavourings and dextrose. These ingredients contribute to the UPF classification. The product also includes oils, flours, sugar, salt, and spices, which do not independently make it UPF.

Ingredients

2 ultra-processed markers
  • OK
    sweet potato (14%) [sweet potato
  • OK
    sunflower oil
    Oil pressed from sunflower seeds, used for cooking and frying.
  • OK
    water
    Essential base ingredient for countless foods and beverages; serves as solvent and texture modifier.
  • OK
    black turtle beans (12%)
  • OK
    red kidney beans
    A variety of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) used as a staple legume in many cuisines.
  • OK
    sweetcorn
    Sweetcorn (corn on the cob or kernels) is a basic vegetable/protein ingredient used in a wide range of dishes.
  • 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
    rapeseed oil
    A basic culinary oil pressed from rapeseeds (Brassica napus). Used for frying, baking, and dressings. Neutral flavor.
  • OK
    white onion
  • OK
    spring onion
    A fresh allium with a mild onion flavor, used as a garnish or in dishes.
  • OK
    brown rice
    Whole grain rice with bran layer; commonly used as a staple carbohydrate.
  • OK
    parsley
    A fresh green herb used to flavor and garnish dishes; commonly added chopped leaves.
  • OK
    pea fibre
    Ground pea fibers used as a dietary fiber or texture enhancer in foods.
  • OK
    stabilisers (methyl cellulose, sodium alginate)
  • OK
    rice flour
    A finely milled flour from milled rice, commonly used as a gluten-free thickener or flour substitute in baking and cooking.
  • OK
    peas
    Small, round, green legumes typically used as a vegetable.
  • OK
    coriander (cilantro seeds)
    Dried seeds of the coriander plant (Coriandrum sativum). Warm, citrusy flavor used ground or as whole seeds in spice blends and curries.
  • OK
    chickpea flour
    Fine flour milled from chickpeas (garbanzo beans); a common gluten-free ingredient used in batters, coatings, and baking.
  • OK
    dried potato
    Dried form of potato used as a processed ingredient or snack base; essentially dehydrated potato.
  • OK
    sugar
    Granulated sugar derived from sugarcane or sugar beets; a basic, single-ingredient sweetener.
  • UPF
    flavourings
    Flavourings are additives that are used to enhance or impart flavor to food products. They are considered ultra-processed as they are synthetic or natural substances that are typically extracted, isolated, or synthesized for their flavor properties.
  • OK
    salt
    Common mineral compound (sodium chloride) used as a seasoning and preservative across cuisines.
  • OK
    onion powder
    Dried and ground onion used as a seasoning to impart onion flavor.
  • OK
    lime zest
    The outer colored skin of a lime, grated or peeled to release aromatic oils and citrus flavor.
  • OK
    garlic powder
    Dried, ground garlic used as a convenient, concentrated form of garlic flavoring in cooking.
  • OK
    chilli powder
    Ground dried chili peppers used as a spice to add heat and flavor in dishes. It is a basic single-ingredient spice.
  • 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
    cumin
    A warm, earthy spice from the seeds of the Cuminum cyminum plant, common in spice blends.
  • OK
    sea salt
    A basic mineral-rich salt derived from evaporated seawater, used as a seasoning and preservative.
  • 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
    lemon peel
    Zest or dried rind used for flavoring and seasoning.
  • OK
    cornflour
    Ground corn starch used as a thickening agent in cooking and baking.
  • 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
    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.
  • UPF
    dextrose
    A simple sugar derived from glucose. Commonly used as a sweetener and source of quick energy in foods.
  • OK
    thyme
    A small, woody perennial herb with fragrant leaves used to flavor dishes, soups, and stews.
  • OK
    bay leaf
    A dried leaf of the bay laurel tree used to impart a distinctive herbal, slightly floral aroma to soups, sauces, and braises.
  • OK
    pimento. prepared to a vegan recipe
  • OK
    not suitable for milk and egg allergy sufferers because these allergens are present in the environment

Swap it for something less processed

See all Ready Meals →

Other ready meals Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.

Common questions about Sweet Potato Bean Bowl

Is Sweet Potato Bean Bowl ultra-processed?

Yes — Sweet Potato Bean Bowl by Tesco Plant Chef is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). This is a prepared vegan meal centered on sweet potato, beans, vegetables, rice, and herbs. It is classified as ultra-processed because it contains stabilisers (methyl cellulose and sodium alginate), which are industrially formulated additives, as well as flavourings and dextrose. These ingredients contribute to the UPF classification. The product also includes oils, flours, sugar, salt, and spices, which do not independently make it UPF.

Which ingredients in Sweet Potato Bean Bowl are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 2 ingredients in Sweet Potato Bean Bowl as ultra-processed markers: flavourings, dextrose. 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.

BBC As seen on The One Show

Scan it yourself,
right in the aisle

This page was shared from Nomi, the free app that tells you instantly whether any food is ultra-processed.

  • Scan any barcode — or photograph the ingredients label
  • Every ingredient explained in plain English
  • Daily check-ins show how food affects how you feel
  • Save favourites and build a healthier shopping list

Free download · No subscription needed to start scanning

Nomi monthly wellbeing report
Nomi scan result screen

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.

Nomi — UPF Scanner Free on iOS & Android
Get the app