Why is Baked Beans in a Rich Tomato Sauce classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The product is a canned, ready‑to‑heat dish that includes added sugar, salt, vinegar, cornflour and vegetable oils, and it lists the food‑grade additive paprika extract (E160c) along with a small proportion of onion oil, which may be derived from palm oil; these multiple processing steps and non‑nutrient ingredients place it in the ultra‑processed NOVA 4 category.

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

With 4.1 g of sugar and 0.53 g of salt per 100 g, the bean is relatively low in both compared with many canned meals, making it a moderate choice for diabetic or hypertensive diets, but portion control is still advised because the carbohydrate load can raise blood glucose if large servings are consumed.

Based on the ingredients, is this product suitable for strict diets like Vegan, Keto, Halal, or Gluten‑Free?

All listed ingredients are plant‑derived, so the beans are vegan, gluten‑free and compatible with halal requirements, but the carbohydrate level (mainly from beans and cornflour) makes it unsuitable for a keto diet.

M&S Food • 400g

Baked Beans in a Rich Tomato Sauce

Plant Based Foods And Beverages

Product Insights

Baked Beans in a Rich Tomato Sauce from M&S Food is a plant‑based canned legume dish belonging to the legumes group. It carries an A Nutri‑Score, offering 4.4 g of protein, 3.7 g of fiber, very low fat and only 0.53 g of salt per 100 g, while its sugar content sits at 4.1 g, well below the average for similar products. Nevertheless, it is classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and contains the additive paprika extract (E160c) and a small amount of onion oil, which may raise concerns for some consumers.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal83 kcal

Fat0.4 g

Saturated Fat0.1 g

Carbohydrates13.5 g

Sugars4.1 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average values for similar plant‑based foods, this baked bean contains about half the sugar (4.1 g vs 10.1 g), less than half the salt (0.53 g vs 1.14 g), considerably lower fat, but also provides slightly less protein (4.4 g vs 5.6 g) per 100 g.

Ingredients

Haricot Beans (49%), Tomatoes (33%), Water, Sugar, Cornflour, Salt, Vinegar, Dried Onions, Paprika, Paprika Extract, Onion Oil, Garlic Extract.

84%

35%

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Baked Beans in a Rich Tomato Sauce.

Aldi, Bramwells

410g