Why is Premium oyster sauce classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The sauce is deemed ultra-processed because it includes multiple industrial ingredients such as added sugar, monosodium glutamate (E621), modified corn starch, wheat flour and caramel, which are added to the oyster extract to achieve its flavor, texture and color.

How does the high sugar and salt content of Premium oyster sauce affect people with diabetes or hypertension?

With 21 g of sugar and 11 g of salt per 100 g, the sauce can cause rapid spikes in blood glucose for diabetics and increase blood pressure for those with hypertension, so consumption should be limited and balanced with low‑sugar, low‑salt foods.

Is Premium oyster sauce suitable for vegan, gluten-free, keto or halal diets?

No, it is not vegan because it contains oyster extract, not gluten‑free due to wheat flour, not keto because of its high carbohydrate (sugar and starch) content, and halal status cannot be confirmed without a certified label, though it contains no pork-derived ingredients.

Lee kum kee,李錦記 • 510 g

Premium oyster sauce

Fat And Sauces

Product Insights

Premium oyster sauce is a dark, savory condiment made from oyster extract, sugar, salt, water, monosodium glutamate and thickening agents, sold in a glass jar and available in markets such as Canada, France, the United Kingdom and the United States. It falls under the 'Fat and sauces' (dressings and sauces) PNNS group, carries a Nutri-Score of E (score 27) and is classified as NOVA 4, reflecting its ultra-processed nature with high levels of added sugar (21 g/100 g) and salt (11 g/100 g) but negligible fat and saturated fat. The product also contains gluten from wheat flour, shellfish from oyster extract and the additive monosodium glutamate (E621), making it unsuitable for gluten-free, low-sodium or low-sugar diets.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

high

Salt

high

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal76 kcal

Energy319 kJ

Fat1.7 g

Saturated Fat0.3 g

Cholesterol0 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average condiment, this oyster sauce contains roughly double the sugar (21 g vs 11 g), more than double the salt (11 g vs 5 g), virtually no fat, and about twice the protein, while delivering slightly fewer calories.

Ingredients

Oyster extract (oysters, water, salt), Sugar, Water, Monosodium glutamate, Salt, Modified corn starch, Wheat flour, Caramel.

84%

35%

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Premium oyster sauce.

Lee Kum Kee

255g