Why is Baked Beans in tomato sauce classified as processed (NOVA 3) and what specific additives does it contain?

It is classified as NOVA 3 because it is a canned product that undergoes cooking, seasoning and preservation steps rather than being a fresh whole food; the only additives listed are citric acid (E330) and malic acid (E296), both approved food acids used to maintain acidity and flavour stability.

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

All ingredients are plant‑based, so the product is fully vegan; it contains no wheat, barley or rye and uses only maize starch and rice flour, making it gluten‑free, but its carbohydrate level of roughly 30 g per 100 g is too high for a strict keto diet.

How does the sugar and salt content in this baked beans product affect people with diabetes or hypertension?

With only 4.7 g of sugar and 0.47 g of salt per 100 g, the product provides modest amounts that can fit within controlled‑carbohydrate or low‑sodium meal plans, though individuals should still monitor portion sizes to stay within their daily limits.

Sainsbury’s Organic • 400g

Baked Beans in tomato sauce

Plant Based Foods And Beverages

Product Insights

Sainsbury’s Organic Baked Beans in tomato sauce are a vegan, organic canned legume dish that falls within the legumes (pulse) food group. It carries a Nutri‑Score of A and is classified as NOVA 3, offering low sugar (4.7 g), low salt (0.47 g) and a high fibre content (6.8 g) per 100 g, though it does contain added sugar and two food‑grade acids (citric acid E330 and malic acid E296) as additives. Overall the product provides a low‑fat source of protein and fibre, making it nutritionally beneficial, but its processing and added sugar mean it is not a completely unprocessed whole‑food option.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal90 kcal

Fat0.5 g

Saturated Fat0.1 g

Carbohydrates12.8 g

Sugars4.7 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average values for its category, this baked beans product contains less than half the sugar (4.7 g vs 10.1 g), less than half the salt (0.47 g vs 1.14 g) and about 60 % more fibre (6.8 g vs 4.2 g), while also delivering lower calories.

Ingredients

Haricot Beans (52%), Tomatoes (31%), Water, Sugar, Maize Starch, Sea Salt, Onion Powder, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Rice Flour, Nutmeg, Garlic Powder, Coriander, Mace, Cassia

84%

35%

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Baked Beans in tomato sauce.

Sainsbury's

400g