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

The sausage combines many refined and functional ingredients such as wheat gluten, soy protein isolates, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, and several stabilisers; this level of industrial processing places it in NOVA group 4. It also contains additives like methylcellulose (E461), caramel colour (E150c), guar gum (E412), xanthan gum (E415), disodium inosinate (E631) and disodium guanylate (E627).

How does the high salt content in Sausage Links affect a hypertensive or sodium‑restricted diet?

With 1.68 g of salt per 100 g (about 670 mg sodium), the product exceeds the typical guideline of 0.5 g salt per serving, potentially raising blood pressure and increasing cardiovascular risk for people on low‑sodium or hypertensive diets; consumers should limit portions or choose lower‑salt alternatives.

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

No. It contains egg whites and sodium caseinate, which make it non‑vegan, and wheat gluten as a primary ingredient, so it is not gluten‑free.

Morning Star Farms • 5pcs

Sausage Links

Fruits And Vegetables

Product Insights

Morning Star Farms Sausage Links are frozen, plant‑based sausages classified under the fruits and vegetables group (PNNS) and marketed as vegetarian sausages. They deliver 20 g of protein per 100 g while containing 6.7 g of fat, 1.68 g of salt and zero sugars, resulting in 155 kcal per 100 g, which is higher in fat, salt and calories than average plant‑based foods. The product is ultra‑processed (NOVA 4), includes several food additives such as methylcellulose (E461), caramel colour (E150c), guar gum (E412) and xanthan gum (E415), and is not vegan because it contains egg whites, sodium caseinate and allergens like egg, gluten, soy and sesame.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

high

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal155 kcal

Fat6.7 g

Saturated Fat0 g

Trans Fat0 g

Monounsaturated Fat2.2 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average plant‑based product (3.62 g sugars, 1.39 g fat, 0.73 g salt, 82.96 kcal), these sausage links have no sugar but about five times more fat, more than double the salt, and almost twice the calories.

Ingredients

Water, wheat gluten, corn oil, egg whites, soy protein concentrate, contains 2% or less of potato starch, salt, sodium caseinate, soy protein isolate, methylcellulose, sugar, canola oil, spices, hydrolyzed vegetable protein (soy, wheat, and corn), yeast extract, caramel color, guar gum, natural and artificial flavors, autolyzed yeast extract, onion powder, soy sauce powder (soy sauce [soybeans, salt, wheat], maltodextrin), disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, soybean oil, sunflower oil, xanthan gum, sesame oil. vitamins and minerals: niacinamide, iron (ferrous sulfate), vitamin b1 (thiamin mononitrate), vitamin b6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), vitamin b2 (riboflavin), vitamin b12.

84%

35%

Unlock What Your Food Doesn't Tell You

Scan this and millions of other food products to discover hidden positive & negative points, scores percentage, additives, allergens, and deeper product insights with the free NutrScan app.