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

The sauce combines refined ingredients such as sugar, molasses, multiple vinegars and a corn‑based thickener, and it includes the emulsifier E433; the presence of such industrially processed components places it in the NOVA 4 ultra‑processed category.

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

With 24 g of sugar and 1.78 g of salt per 100 g, the sauce can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes for people with diabetes and contribute to excess sodium intake for those managing blood pressure, so it should be used only in limited amounts.

Is the soy sauce in this Brown Sauce a concern for people with soy allergies?

Yes; soybeans are listed as an ingredient in the soy‑sauce component and the product is flagged for the soy allergen, making it unsuitable for anyone who must avoid soy.

Marks & Spencers • 493 g

Brown Sauce

Fat And Sauces

Product Insights

Brown Sauce from M&S belongs to the “dressings and sauces” family of foods and is presented in a 493 g plastic bottle. It carries a Nutri‑Score of D and is classified in the ultra‑processed NOVA 4 group, reflecting its high sugar (24 g) and added‑sugar content alongside a modest salt level (1.78 g per 100 g). While it provides very low fat and saturated fat, the product is low in fiber and protein and contains the emulsifier E433, making it a condiment that should be used sparingly.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

high

Salt

high

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal196 kcal

Fat0.3 g

Saturated Fat0.1 g

Carbohydrates29.9 g

Sugars24 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average brown‑sauce category, this M&S Brown Sauce contains more than double the sugar (24 g vs 10.9 g) and carbohydrates (29.9 g vs 16.3 g), but markedly less fat (0.3 g vs 12 g) and salt (1.78 g vs 5 g) per 100 g.

Ingredients

Water, Sugar, Barley Malt Vinegar, Molasses (9%), Spirit Vinegar, Tomato Paste, Cornflour, Date Purée (2%), Soy Sauce (Water, Salt, Molasses, Soybeans, Barley Malt Vinegar, Wheatflour, Barley Malt Extract), Salt, Tamarind, Dried Onions, Allspice, Dried Chillies, Barley Malt Extract, Rapeseed Oil, Ground Black Pepper, Emulsifier: E433, Clove Extract, Clove Flavouring.

84%

35%

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