Is it ultra-processed?
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Is Merchant Gourmet Spicy Cajun-Style Lentils & Red Kidney Beans ultra-processed?

250 g Prepared lentils Sold in the United Kingdom

Pack of Merchant Gourmet Spicy Cajun-Style Lentils & Red Kidney Beans

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:

  • 26 ingredients
  • 1 additive
  • Nutri-Score A

Less processed prepared lentils

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

Cooked Green Lentils 41%, Water, Green Lentils, Tomato Purée (Tomato, Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid)), Red Kidney Beans 8%, Onion, Durum Wheat (Water, Durum Wheat), Olive Oil, Sherry Vinegar, Garlic, Sugar, Salt, Spices, Jalapeño Seasoning 0.6%, Rice Flour, Jalapeño Chilli Pepper, Natural Flavourings, Sunflower Oil, Rosemary 0.3%, Smoked Paprika 0.3%, Natural Flavouring

Additives: E330 Citric acid

As written on the pack

Cooked Green Lentils (41%) Water, Green Lentils), Tomato Purée (Tomato, Acidity Regulator: Citric Acid), Rehydrated Red Kidney Beans (8%), Onion, Cooked Durum Wheat (Water, Durum Wheat), Olive Oil, Sherry Vinegar (Sulphites), Garlic, Sugar, Salt, Spices, Jalapeño Seasoning (0.6%) Rice Flour, Jalapeño Chilli Pepper, Natural Flavourings, Sunflower Oil), Rosemary (0.3%), Smoked Paprika (0.3%), Natural Flavouring.

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.

  • 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.

  • 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

Among 8 prepared lentils

From least to most processed, this one ranks 7th. 50% of the prepared lentils 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 8 prepared lentils, least processed first

About this information

  • Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 5018095011059, 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 A (from A, best, to E).
  • General information, not medical or dietary advice. Check the pack if you have an allergy.