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

The dish combines many industrially processed components such as pureed ginger, smoked sugar, corn starch, and premixed sauces, which places it in NOVA group 4. It also includes two listed food additives: E100 (curcumin) for colour and E160c (paprika extract) for colour and flavour.

How do the sugar and salt levels in this meal affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With only 1.9 g of sugar per 100 g, the meal is low in sugar and therefore less likely to spike blood glucose, making it more suitable for diabetes management. The salt content is very low at 0.54 g per 100 g, which is well below the average for meals and helps keep blood pressure within recommended limits, though the overall fat content should still be considered.

Is this product suitable for vegan, keto, halal, or gluten‑free diets?

No, the product is not vegan because it contains chicken and dairy ingredients such as yogurt, cream and butter. It is not keto-friendly due to its 16.6 g of carbohydrates per 100 g, and it is not certified halal as it contains chicken that is not explicitly labeled halal. The formulation is likely gluten‑free, as the only grains used are rice, corn starch and cornflour, which do not contain gluten.

Tesco finest • 400g

Chicken Tikka Masala with Saffron Pilau Rice

Composite Foods

Product Insights

Chicken Tikka Masala with Saffron Pilau Rice is a ready‑to‑heat, one‑dish composite meal that combines marinated chicken in a spiced tikka sauce with saffron‑infused basmati rice. It carries a Nutri‑Score of C and is classified in NOVA group 4, offering modest protein (7 g per 100 g) and low sugar (1.9 g) but contains moderate fat (6.4 g) and saturated fat (2.2 g) while keeping salt at a low 0.54 g per 100 g. The recipe includes milk‑derived allergens (yogurt, cream, butter) and nuts (cashew), and it uses the additives E100 (curcumin) and E160c (paprika extract).

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal156 kcal

Comparative Analysis

Compared with typical meals, this chicken tikka masala contains less sugar (1.9 g vs 3.6 g), markedly lower salt (0.54 g vs 3.55 g) and fewer carbohydrates, but its fat (6.4 g) and saturated fat (2.2 g) exceed average levels.

Ingredients

Cooked Saffron Rice [Water, Basmati Rice, Ginger Purée, Rapeseed Oil, Cardamom Powder, Saffron, Colour (Curcumin)], Cooked Marinated Chicken (20%) [Chicken Breast, Yogurt (Milk), Garlic Purée, Corn Starch, Ginger Purée, Cumin Powder, Smoked Sugar, Salt, Green Chilli Purée, Smoked Paprika, Colour (Paprika Extract), Black Pepper, Fenugreek, Cumin Seed, Turmeric], Tomato Purée, Single Cream (Milk), Rapeseed Oil, Coconut, Cashew Nut Purée, Tomato, Yogurt (Milk), Ginger Purée, Garlic Purée, Cornflour, Coriander, Sugar, Salt, Paprika, Coriander Powder, Cumin Powder, Green Chilli Purée, Butter (Milk), Lemon Juice, Turmeric, Cumin Seed, Cinnamon, Clove Powder, Chilli Powder, Black Pepper, Fenugreek, Fennel, Lemon Oil, Cardamom Powder, Bay Leaf, Colour (Paprika Extract).

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