Is it ultra-processed?
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Is M&S food Tikka masala curry ultra-processed?

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Pack of M&S food Tikka masala curry

Yes, it's ultra-processed

  1. 1 Unprocessed
  2. 2 Kitchen staple
  3. 3 Processed
  4. 4 Ultra-processed

Signs of ultra-processing in its ingredients:

  • 59 ingredients
  • 5 additives
  • Nutri-Score C

Ingredients

Ultra-processing Processing signs are highlighted

Lentil Protein Preparation 19% (Water, rapeseed Oil, Coconut Oil, Lentil Protein, sugar, Potato, Starch Stabiliser (e461), emulsifier (E4), Acidity Regulator (e331), Flavourings Salt Stabiliser (Xanthan Gum), Colour (Carotenes)), Onions 18%, Cauliflower 14%, Red Peppers 7%, Coconut Milk (Coconut Water), Tomatoes 6%, Water Butternut Squash 6%, Rapeseed Oil, Garlic Purée, ginger, Cornflour, Spices (Cumin, Coriander, Turmeric, kashmiri Chilli Powder, Coriander, roasted, Cumin, Cinnamon Paprika, Black Pepper, nutmeg, Cloves, chilli, Green Cardamom, mace, Green Cardamom, Ginger, Fennel), Tomato Paste, Sugar, Salt, Coriander, Smoked Salt, Fenugreek, Colour (Paprika Extract), coriander Seeds, Cumin Seeds, Bay Leaves, Fennel Seeds, Green Cardamom

Additives: E160a Carotene , E160c Paprika extract , E331 Sodium citrates , E415 Xanthan gum , E461 Methyl cellulose

As written on the pack

Lentil Protein Preparation (19%), (Water, rapeseed Oil, Coconut Oil, Lentil Protein, sugar, Modified Potato, Starch Stabiliser: E461, emulsifier: E4, Acidity Regulator: E331, Flavourings Salt Stabiliser: Xanthan Gum - Colour: Carotenes), Onions (18%), Cauliflower (14%), Red Peppers (7%), Coconut Milk (Coconut Extract Water), Tomatoes (6%), Water Butternut Squash (6%), Rapeseed Oil, Garlic Purée, ginger Purée, Cornflour, Ground Spices (Cumin, Coriander, Turmeric, kashmiri Chilli Powder, roasted Coriander, roasted, Cumin, Cinnamon Paprika, Black Pepper, nutmeg, Cloves, chilli Powder, Green Cardamom, mace, roasted Green Cardamom Seeds, Ginger, Fennel) Tomato Paste, Sugar, Salt, Coriander, Smoked Salt, Dried Fenugreek, leaves Colour: Paprika Extract, coriander Seeds, Cumin Seeds, Ground Bay Leaves, Fennel Seeds, Whole Green Cardamom

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.

  • E160a Carotene Carotenes are orange-yellow pigments, either synthesised or extracted from carrots, algae or palm oil.
  • E160c Paprika extract Paprika extract is a red-orange colour extracted from paprika peppers.
  • E415 Xanthan gum Xanthan gum is a thickener made by fermenting sugar with the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris.
  • E461 Methyl cellulose Emulsifiers are substances which make it possible to form or maintain a homogenous mixture of two or more immiscible phases such as oil and water in a foodstuff.
  • Colour Colours are added to restore colour lost in processing or to make a product look more appealing.
  • Emulsifier Emulsifiers keep fat and water from separating, giving products a smooth, stable texture over a long shelf life.

Substances rarely used in home kitchens

Refined or extracted in factories, such as syrups made from starch or isolated proteins. The other hallmark of ultra-processed food.

  • Potato An ingredient mostly produced industrially and rarely used in home kitchens.
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.

  • Meals Products in the category "Meals" are at least group 3.
  • 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.

How the NOVA groups work

About this information

  • Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 29218523, last edited 27 March 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.
  • NOVA measures processing, not nutrition. For nutrition, Open Food Facts gives this product a Nutri-Score of C (from A, best, to E).
  • General information, not medical or dietary advice. Check the pack if you have an allergy.