Is Ben's Original Thai Sweet Chilli ultra-processed?

220g Rices Sold in the United Kingdom

Yes, it's ultra-processed

1 Unprocessed
2 Kitchen staple
3 Processed
4 Ultra-processed

Signs of ultra-processing in its ingredients:

Flavouring
E160c Paprika extract

17 ingredients
2 additives

Less processed rices

Less processed isn't automatically healthier, so compare the labels for what matters to you, such as sugar or salt.

Ingredients

Ultra-processing Processing signs are highlighted

parboiled long grain rice 91%, red pepper 3.9%, sugar (processing marker), chilli paste (chillies, salt (processing marker)), sunflower oil (processing marker), natural flavouring (ultra-processing marker), toasted sesame oil (processing marker), soya sauce (processing marker) (soya beans, wheat, salt (processing marker)), spices, garlic powder, citric acid, paprika extract (ultra-processing marker)

Additives: E160c Paprika extract , E330 Citric acid

As written on the pack

Steamed parboiled long grain rice (91%), red pepper (3.9%), sugar, chilli paste (chillies, salt), sunflower oil, natural flavouring, toasted sesame oil, soya sauce powder (soya beans, wheat, salt), spices, garlic powder, acid (citric acid). colour (paprika extract).

What makes it ultra-processed

Cosmetic additives

Added to change how the food looks, feels or tastes, not to keep it safe. A hallmark of ultra-processed food.

E160c Paprika extract Paprika extract is a red-orange colour extracted from paprika peppers.
Flavouring Flavourings are concentrated aroma preparations that add or intensify a taste.

4 ingredients that would only make it processed

Kitchen staples like sugar, salt and oil. On their own they make a food processed, not ultra-processed.

Salt Salt, added for taste and preservation.
Sugar Sugar refined from sugar cane or beet.
Vegetable oil Vegetable oils are pressed or extracted from seeds, nuts and fruits.
Sauce A prepared sauce used as an ingredient.

How the NOVA groups work

Among 293 rices

From least to most processed, this one ranks 253rd. 35% of the rices here are ultra-processed.

Ranked by NOVA group, then by the number of ultra-processing signs, additives and ingredients. Our ordering, not part of NOVA.

All 293 rices, least processed first

About this information

Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 5010034014145, last edited 14 September 2026), available under the Open Database License. If something is wrong or the recipe has changed, you can correct it there.
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors, CC BY-SA 3.0.
The NOVA group is an automated estimate from crowdsourced data: a missing or mistyped ingredient can change it.
General information, not medical or dietary advice. Check the pack if you have an allergy.