Why is Chicken Tikka Masala & Pilau Rice classified as moderately processed (NOVA 3) and what specific additive does it contain?

It receives a NOVA 3 rating because the recipe includes several processed components such as cream, butter, yoghurt and sauce blends, yet it does not contain multiple industrial additives; the only listed additive is acetic acid (E260) used as an acidity regulator in the mango chutney and lime pickle.

How does the saturated‑fat level in this meal impact a heart‑healthy diet?

With 3.7 g of saturated fat per 100 g, the product contributes to LDL‑cholesterol levels, so regular consumption should be limited for people following a heart‑healthy eating pattern.

Is the dairy present in this product a problem for people with lactose intolerance or milk allergy?

The meal contains cream, butter, Greek‑style yoghurt and milk‑based cream, all of which provide lactose and milk proteins; therefore it can trigger symptoms in lactose‑intolerant individuals and is unsuitable for those with a milk allergy.

Charlie Bigham's • 805g

Chicken Tikka Masala & Pilau Rice

Composite Foods

Product Insights

This ready‑to‑eat meal combines chicken tikka masala with pilau rice, featuring chicken, cream, rice and a blend of spices, and is sold in a paper sleeve, compostable tray and foil wrapper. It belongs to the Composite foods PNNS group, is classified as NOVA 3 (moderately processed) and carries no Nutri‑Score label, offering a nutritional profile that is low in sugar (2.5 g) and salt (0.12 g) per 100 g but relatively high in total fat (8.1 g) and saturated fat (3.7 g). The dish supplies 178 kcal, 7 g protein and 1.4 g fiber per 100 g, making it energy‑dense with modest fibre and containing milk allergens and a small amount of added sugar.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

low

Salt

low

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal103 kcal

Energy426 kJ

Fat7.9 g

Saturated Fat4.5 g

Cholesterol0 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with average meal values, this product has lower sugar (2.5 g vs 3.6 g) and salt (0.12 g vs 3.55 g) but higher total fat (8.1 g vs 5.94 g) and saturated fat (3.7 g vs 1.94 g) per 100 g.

Ingredients

water, chicken (19%), cream (milk), rice (14%), onions, greek-style yoghurt (milk), butter (milk), tomato purée, ginger purée, mango chutney (mangoes, sugar, salt, acidity regulator: acetic acid*, garlic, cumin seeds, mixed spices, fenugreek seeds, nigella seeds, herbs), lemon juice, garlic purée, rapeseed oil, salt, ground coriander, lime pickle (lime, salt, sugar, red chillies, mustard seeds, turmeric, acidity regulator: acetic acid*), cornflour, ground cumin, red chillies**, fresh parsley, black onion seeds, yellow mustard seeds, ground fenugreek, cayenne pepper, paprika oil, ground chilli, ground black pepper, turmeric, ground cinnamon, ground dill, ground ginger, cardamom seeds, coriander seeds, ground cardamom, ground cloves.

84%

35%

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