Why is Beef lasagna classified as moderately processed (NOVA 3) and which additives does it contain?

The dish combines several industrially prepared components, cooked egg pasta, cured meat and cheese, placing it in NOVA category 3, which covers foods made with multiple processed ingredients but without extensive formulation. It contains four listed additives: E1105 (lysozyme), E250 (sodium nitrite), E252 (potassium nitrate) and E301 (ascorbic acid).

How do the fat and salt levels in this lasagna affect a heart‑healthy or hypertensive diet?

With 9.1 g total fat, 4.7 g saturated fat and 0.8 g salt per 100 g, the product exceeds European recommendations for saturated fat (<2 g) and salt (<0.6 g) in a single serving, so it should be consumed sparingly by those managing cholesterol or blood‑pressure concerns.

Is the egg pasta in this lasagna a concern for people avoiding gluten?

The pasta is made from durum wheat and semolina, both containing gluten, and the ingredient list notes gluten presence. Therefore, anyone with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity or who follows a gluten‑free diet should avoid this product.

Marks & Spencers • 800g

Beef lasagna

Q: Is the egg pasta in this lasagna a concern for people avoiding gluten?

The pasta is made from durum wheat and semolina, both containing gluten, and the ingredient list notes gluten presence. Therefore, anyone with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity or who follows a gluten‑free diet should avoid this product.

Beef Lasagna

Product Insights

Beef lasagna from Marks & Spencer is an 800 g ready‑to‑heat meal classified in the Meat and fish PNNS group. It carries a Nutri‑Score of C and a NOVA rating of 3, offering 166 kcal, 9.7 g protein and 1.8 g fiber per 100 g, but also 9.1 g fat (4.7 g saturated) and 0.8 g salt, plus four food‑grade additives and common allergens such as egg, milk, gluten and celery. Overall it provides convenient protein and vegetables yet its moderate processing, fat and salt levels make it better suited for occasional rather than daily consumption.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal166 kcal

Fat9.1 g

Saturated Fat4.7 g

Carbohydrates10.3 g

Sugars2.6 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with typical ready‑meal mains, this lasagna supplies higher protein and fiber while staying within average calorie limits, but its fat, saturated fat and salt are slightly above the norm for similar dishes.

Ingredients

Minced Beef (30% ), Semi-Skimmed Milk, Cooked Egg Pasta (12%) (Durum Wheat ,Semolina (contains Gluten) Water, Pasteurised Egg), Chianti Wine (6%), Tomatoes (4%), Extra Mature Cheddar Cheese (Milk) (3%), Tomato Paste, Onions, Smoked Pancetta (2.5%) (Pork Curing Salt (Salt Preservative : Sodium Nitrite, Potassium Nitrate) ,Ground Spices (Black Pepper Cassia (Sweet Cinnamon) Cloves Coriander Dill Ginger Nutmeg) - Antioxidant: E301) Grana Padano Cheese (2%) (Grana Padano Cheese (Milk) Preservative: Lysozyme (Egg)) Carrots Cornflour - Celery - Balsamic Vinegar Single Cream (Milk) Broad Bean Flour - Unsalted Butter (Milk) Garlic Purée Wheatflour (contains e Gluten) Salt Thyme Parsley Dried Mustard Ground Spices (White Pepper Nutmeg Turmeric Allspice). g • For allergens see ingredients in bold.

84%

35%

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