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

NOVA 4 includes products made mainly from industrial ingredients and containing additives; this sauce combines processed pork, modified starch, cheese powder and emulsifiers, and lists additives E331 (sodium citrate) and an E14xx preservative, which place it in the ultra‑processed group.

How does the salt content in this sauce impact a hypertensive or low‑sodium diet?

At 0.8 g of salt per 100 g, the sauce is well below the category average of 5 g, so a typical serving adds only a modest amount of sodium, but people on strict low‑sodium regimens should still account for it within their daily limit.

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

The sauce is gluten‑free but contains milk, egg and pork, making it unsuitable for vegan or dairy‑free diets; its low carbohydrate content (2.9 g per 100 g) fits a keto framework, though the moderate fat and protein levels should be considered within overall macro goals.

Lidl, Italiamo • 340 g ℮

Carbonara sauce

Fat And Sauces

Product Insights

Lidl's Italiamo Carbonara sauce comes in a 340 g glass jar and is labeled gluten‑free, containing pork belly, cheese powder, milk powder and egg yolk. It belongs to the Fat and sauces family (dressings and sauces), carries a Nutri‑Score of C and is classified as NOVA 4, with 15 g of fat, 3.3 g of saturated fat, 0.8 g of salt, 1.1 g of sugars and 4.9 g of protein per 100 g. The product is ultra‑processed, includes milk and egg allergens and additives such as sodium citrate (E331) and an E14xx preservative, which may limit its appeal to low‑fat, low‑sodium or dairy‑free diets.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal168 kcal

Fat15 g

Saturated Fat3.3 g

Carbohydrates2.9 g

Sugars1.1 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average sauce in its category, this carbonara sauce contains far less sugar and salt but higher fat, saturated fat and protein.

Ingredients

Wasser, 18% Bauchspeck geräuchert (Schweinebauch, Buchenholzrauch), Sonnenblumenöl, modifizierte Stärke, Käsepulverzubereitung (Käse, Molkenpulver, Emulgator: Natriumcitrate), Magermilchpulver, Speisesalz, schwarzer Pfeffer, natürliche Aromen, Hühnereieigelb*, Raucharoma. *von Eiem aus Bodenhaltung.

84%

35%

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