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

The dish combines many industrial ingredients such as smoked chicken, single cream, yogurt, butter, coconut milk, cornflour and a complex spice blend, all of which are manufactured and combined in a factory; the only declared additive is E160c, a paprika extract used for natural colour.

How does the salt content in this product affect a hypertensive diet?

With 0.62 g of salt per 100 g, the meal contributes a moderate amount to daily sodium intake; it can fit into a controlled‑salt diet if the total daily consumption stays below recommended limits, but individuals with hypertension should monitor overall salt from all meals.

Is the milk present in this dish a concern for people with dairy allergy?

Yes, the product contains single cream, low‑fat yogurt, regular yogurt and butter, all of which are dairy sources and are highlighted as allergens, so anyone with a milk allergy should avoid this meal.

Marks And Spencer

Best Ever Chicken Tikka Masala

Composite Foods

Product Insights

Best Ever Chicken Tikka Masala is a ready‑to‑heat microwave meal from Marks & Spencer, consisting of smoked chicken breast, basmati rice, coconut milk, cream and a blend of spices. It belongs to the Composite foods and One‑dish meals groups, carries a Nutri‑Score of C and is classified as NOVA 4 ultra‑processed, with moderate fat (7.2 g), saturated fat (2.6 g), salt (0.62 g) and low sugars (3.2 g) per 100 g, while providing 8.2 g protein and 1.3 g fibre. The formulation includes milk‑derived ingredients (single cream, yogurt, butter) and wheat flour, triggering milk and gluten allergens, and contains the additive E160c (paprika extract) as a natural colour.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal158 kcal

Fat7.2 g

Saturated Fat2.6 g

Carbohydrates14.5 g

Sugars3.2 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with typical microwave meals, this Chicken Tikka Masala is higher in fat, saturated fat and protein, lower in salt, sugars and energy, and provides less fibre and carbohydrates.

Ingredients

Cooked Basmati Rice (Water, Basmati Rice) (31%), Smoked Chicken Breast (30%), Single Cream (Milk) (9%), Coconut Milk (Coconut Extract, Water), Onions (7%), Tomatoes, Rapeseed Oil, Ginger Purée, Garlic Purée, Low Fat Yogurt (Milk), Yogurt (Milk), Butter (Milk), Cornflour, Sweetened Dried Cranberries (Sugar, Cranberries), Ground Spices (Coriander, Smoked Paprika, Turmeric, Chilli Powder, Cinnamon, Cumin, Kashmiri Chilli Powder, Green Cardamom, Cloves), Red Chillies, Cane Sugar, Salt, Lime Juice, Coriander, Cumin Seeds, Wheatflour, Smoked Salt, Demerara Sugar, Ground Garam Masala (Roasted Coriander, Roasted Sweet Cinnamon (Cassia), Roasted Cumin Black Pepper, Green Cardamom, Mace, Cinnamon, Green Cardamom Seeds, Ginger, Fennel, Cloves, Nutmeg, Bay Leaves, Star Anise), Whole Black Cardamom Seeds, Natural Colour: Paprika Extract, Fenugreek Leaves, Fennel Seeds, Whole Green Cardamom, Ground Bay Leaves, Cracked Black Pepper, Cloves, Saffron, Fortified with Calcium, Iron, Vitamin B3 and B1.

84%

35%

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