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

The product contains several ingredients that are typically manufactured or added during processing, such as added sugar, salt, a natural flavouring, a colourant (E160c, paprika oleoresin), corn starch, sunflower oil and pea protein isolate, which together place it in the ultra‑processed NOVA 4 category.

How does the sugar and salt content in Tikka masala affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 3 g of sugars and 0.82 g of salt per 100 g, the meal is lower in both sugar and sodium than many ready‑meals, making it a relatively safe option for diabetics and people managing blood pressure, provided it is consumed in moderation and balanced with other low‑sugar, low‑salt foods.

Is the presence of peanuts in Tikka masala a concern for people with peanut allergy?

Yes. The ingredient list shows peanuts at an estimated 0.07 % of the formulation, and the product is labelled as containing peanuts, so anyone with a peanut allergy should avoid it.

Ben's • 285 g

Tikka masala

Composite Foods

Product Insights

Tikka masala is a plant‑based ready‑meal that falls under the PNNS categories of Composite foods and One‑dish meals. It achieves a Nutri‑Score of A and contains 81 % fruits, vegetables and legumes, delivering low levels of fat (3 g), saturated fat (1.1 g), sugars (3 g) and salt (0.82 g) per 100 g, while providing modest protein (4.2 g) and 2.2 g of fiber. However, it is classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4), includes added sugar, salt, a natural flavour, a paprika oleoresin colour (E160c) and may contain traces of milk, soy, wheat, oats, barley, cashew, peanuts, sesame, mustard and celery, which are important allergen considerations.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal92 kcal

Fat3 g

Saturated Fat1.1 g

Carbohydrates11 g

Sugars3 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average plant‑based prepared meal (≈174 kcal, 5.9 g fat, 3.6 g sugars, 3.6 g salt and 7.2 g protein per 100 g), this Tikka masala supplies only 92 kcal, 3 g fat, 3 g sugars, 0.8 g salt and 4.2 g protein.

Ingredients

Tomates, pois chiches (17%), patate douce (10%), maïs doux (8.6%), oignon (8.5%), lait de noix de coco, poivron rouge (5.3%), petits pois (3.4%), poivron vert (2.6%), al épices (poudre de cumin, garam masala, piment vert fenugrec, curcuma, piment rouge), protéine de pois, extrait de levure, huile de tournesol, amidon de maïs, sel, jus de citron, sucre, arôme naturel, colorant (oléorésine de paprika). Peut contenir: lait, soja, blé, avoine, orge, cajou, cacahuètes, sésame, moutarde, céleri.

84%

35%

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