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

The soup is rated NOVA 4 because its ingredients are combined, cooked and packaged after extensive processing, including the addition of rapeseed oil, yeast extract, concentrated carrot juice, various powdered vegetables and a vague flavouring that may contain additional compounds; however, the product lists zero declared additive numbers, meaning no separate additive codes are recorded.

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

With 2.5 g of sugar and 0.45 g of salt per 100 g, the soup is low in both sugar and sodium, making it relatively suitable for people managing blood glucose or blood pressure, though it should still be counted within the total daily intake.

Based on the ingredient list, is this vegetable soup suitable for vegan, gluten‑free, or other strict diets?

All listed ingredients are plant‑based, so the soup is vegan; however, it contains durum wheat semolina in the cooked pasta, so it is not gluten‑free, and it includes a celery‑derived flavouring, which may trigger a celery allergy.

sainsbury's • 400g

vegetable soup

Fruits And Vegetables

Product Insights

Vegetable soup is a plant‑based, canned meal that falls under the Fruits and vegetables group of the PNNS classification. It carries a Nutri‑Score of B and is placed in NOVA group 4, indicating an ultra‑processed product, with low amounts of fat (1 g), saturated fat (0.1 g), sugar (2.5 g) and salt (0.45 g) per 100 g, but also modest protein (1.3 g) and fiber (1.1 g). While the low calorie (42 kcal) and sodium levels are positive, the modest protein, fibre and the presence of processed ingredients such as rapeseed oil, yeast extract and flavouring limit its overall nutritional quality.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal42 kcal

Fat1 g

Saturated Fat0.1 g

Carbohydrates6.5 g

Sugars2.5 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average canned vegetable soup, this product provides considerably less sugar, fat, saturated fat, salt and calories per 100 g, but also supplies lower amounts of fiber and protein than the typical range.

Ingredients

Water, Tomato, Carrot (14%), Potato (8%), Peas (3.5%), Onion (3.0%), Cooked Pasta (Water, Durum Wheat Semolina), Haricot Beans (3.0%), Maize Starch, Swede (1.0%), Rapeseed Oil, Concentrated Carrot Juice, Sugar, Salt, Yeast Extract, Leek Powder, Onion Powder, Leek, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper, Flavouring (contains Celery)

84%

35%

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