Why is Chicken Tikka Masala classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The meal is made from multiple industrially prepared components such as pre‑cooked rice, marinated chicken, sauces and cream, and it undergoes several processing steps; the only listed additive is the colourant E160c (paprika extract), which together with the complex formulation places it in NOVA group 4.

How does the sugar and salt content in this product affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 3.7 g of sugar per 100 g, the product adds modest carbohydrates that diabetics should count toward their daily intake, while the 0.5 g of salt per 100 g is relatively low and fits within most sodium guidelines, though hypertensive individuals should still watch portion sizes.

Is the cashew nut in this product a concern for nut‑allergic consumers?

Yes. Cashew nuts are present (about 0.23 % of the product) and are listed as an allergen, so anyone with a tree‑nut allergy should avoid this meal.

Sainsbury's • 400 g

Chicken Tikka Masala

Composite Foods

Product Insights

Chicken Tikka Masala from Sainsbury’s is a 400 g ready‑to‑heat one‑dish meal that combines cooked pilau rice, marinated chicken breast, cream and a blend of South‑Asian spices. It falls in the Composite foods / One‑dish meals group, carries a Nutri‑Score of B and a NOVA rating of 4, offering moderate fat (5.5 g/100 g), low sugar (3.7 g/100 g) and relatively low salt (0.5 g/100 g) but provides only 6.4 g of protein per 100 g. While the nutritional profile is better than the average ready‑meal in fat and salt, the ultra‑processed nature, presence of added sugar and a single colour additive (E160c) highlight its processed status.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Added Sugars1.9 g

Fruits & Vegetables36.4 %

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average ready‑meal (100 g), this Chicken Tikka Masala contains slightly less fat (5.5 g vs 5.94 g) and markedly lower salt (0.5 g vs 3.55 g), but its sugar (3.7 g) is a bit higher and protein (6.4 g) a bit lower than the category averages.

Ingredients

Cooked Pilau Rice (Water, Basmati Rice, Onion, Rapeseed Oil, Salt, Cumin, Cardamom, Turmeric, Clove, Bay Leaf), Cooked Marinated Chicken Breast (18%) (Chicken Breast, Rapeseed Oil, Low Fat Yogurt (Cows' Milk), Cornflour, Paprika, Ginger Purée, Garlic Purée, Green Chilli Purée, Fenugreek, Coriander, Chilli Powder, Cumin, Cinnamon, Ginger Powder, White Pepper, Clove, Nutmeg. Cardamom, Bay Leaf), Onion, 16% Fat Cream (Cows' Milk), Tomato Paste, Low Fat Yogurt (Cows' Milk), Sugar, Rapeseed Oil, Water, Cashew Nut, Garlic Purée, Ginger Purée, Butter (Cows' Milk), Coriander Leaf, Salt, Paprika, Coriander, Cumin, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Chilli Powder, White Pepper, Clove, Ginger Powder, Colour Paprika Extract: Bay Leaf, Nutmeg, Cardamom.

84%

35%

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