Why is Bolognese pasta sauce classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what additives does it contain?

The product is considered ultra-processed because its ingredient list includes refined components such as tomato paste, modified maize starch, added sugar, and sunflower oil, and it is formulated with the acidity regulator citric acid (E330) as the only listed additive.

How does the 5 g of sugars per 100 g in this sauce affect people managing diabetes or hypertension?

A serving provides moderate carbohydrate from sugars, which can raise blood glucose levels and should be counted in a diabetic meal plan, while the extremely low salt content is beneficial for blood-pressure control; portion control is recommended.

Is this Bolognese sauce suitable for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or keto diets?

The label confirms it is both vegan and vegetarian, containing no animal-derived ingredients; it does not list any gluten-containing grains, but without a formal gluten-free certification it cannot be guaranteed, and its carbohydrate level (about 8 g per 100 g) is too high for a strict keto regimen.

Lidl • 500g

Bolognese pasta sauce

Fat And Sauces

Product Insights

Bolognese pasta sauce is a plant-based condiment that falls under the PNNS groups "Fat and sauces" and "Dressings and sauces". It earns a Nutri-Score of A thanks to its low fat (0.6 g), low saturated fat (0.1 g), low salt (0.002 g) and high fruit-vegetable content (over 91 % of the ingredients are tomatoes and vegetables). Nevertheless, it is classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4), contains added sugar and the only listed additive citric acid (E330), which lowers its overall environmental score to F.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

moderate

Salt

low

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal46 kcal

Fat0.6 g

Saturated Fat0.1 g

Carbohydrates8 g

Sugars5 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average sauce, this Bolognese contains about half the sugar, less than 5 % of the typical fat, and virtually no salt per 100 g.

Ingredients

78% tomatoes, 10% tomato paste, 3% onion, sugar, modified maize starch, salt, sunflower oil, basil (0,3% garlic puree, mixture of spices and herbs (parsley, oregano, black pepper), acidity regulator: citric acid

84%

35%

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Bolognese pasta sauce.

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