Why is Italian Pasta & Spinach Salad classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The salad combines processed components such as cooked egg pasta, refined vegetable oils, processed cheeses, and flavoring blends like salt‑garlic purée and red‑wine vinegar, which are typical of ultra‑processed foods; these ingredients are formulated to extend shelf life and enhance taste, placing the product in NOVA group 4.

How does the sugar and salt content in this product affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With only 1.1 g of sugar per 100 g, the salad is low‑sugar and does not pose a major concern for blood‑glucose control, but its 1.03 g of salt per 100 g is moderate and may contribute to higher sodium intake, so people monitoring blood pressure should consume it in limited portions.

Is the egg pasta in this salad a concern for people with egg allergy or gluten intolerance?

Yes, the egg pasta contains both egg and durum wheat semolina, which introduces egg protein and gluten; individuals with egg allergy, celiac disease, or gluten sensitivity should avoid this product.

M&S • 190 g

Italian Pasta & Spinach Salad

Composite Foods

Product Insights

Italian Pasta & Spinach Salad is a ready‑to‑eat composite one‑dish meal featuring cooked egg pasta, spinach, vegetable oils, hard cheeses and pine nuts, packaged in a PET tub. It carries a Nutri‑Score of C (score 5) and falls into the ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) category; it provides moderate fat (10 g/100 g) and salt (1.03 g/100 g) while delivering 7.4 g protein and low sugars (1.1 g/100 g). Consumers should note allergens (egg, milk, gluten) and that the product’s fiber (1.8 g) is below the average for pasta salads, and its saturated fat is moderate compared with typical meals.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal115 kcal

Fat10 g

Saturated Fat1.9 g

Carbohydrates26.5 g

Sugars1.1 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with average pasta‑salad values, this salad contains about twice the fat (10 g vs 5.94 g) and slightly more carbohydrates (26.5 g vs 23 g) but has markedly lower sugar (1.1 g vs 3.57 g), salt (1.03 g vs 3.55 g) and calories (115 kcal vs 175 kcal).

Ingredients

Cooked Egg Pasta (66%) (Durum Wheat Semolina (contains Gluten). Water Pasteurised Egg) Spinach (5%) Vegetable Oil (Sunflower/Rapeseed) Basil Infused Vegetable Oil Basil Medium Fat Hard Cheese (Milk) Lemon Juice Vegetarian Pecorino Cheese (Milk) Pine Kernels. Salt Garlic Purée Red Wine Vinegar Ground Black Pepper Rapeseed Oil WO B • For allergens see ingredients in bold. Suitable for vegetarians Made in the UK with pasta from Italy. SC1844 © Marks and Spencer plc PO Box 3339 CH99 9QS United Kingdom M&S (Ireland) Ltd PO Box 13022 Ravensdale Dublin 2 Ireland TRAY Recycle • 200 ge FILM Do Not Recycle M 0196 819 S

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