Why is Classic Barbecue Smokey & Rich classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The sauce is deemed ultra-processed because it contains refined sugar, molasses, spirit vinegar, a thickener (xanthan gum, listed as E415), smoke flavouring and natural flavourings, all of which are industrial ingredients that dominate over whole food components.

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

With about 20.5 g of sugars per 100 g, the sauce can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes, making it unsuitable for strict diabetic control, while its 2.14 g of salt provides roughly 43 % of the UK Reference Intake for sodium, which may raise blood pressure for hypertensive individuals; moderation is advised.

Based on the ingredients, is this product suitable for strict diets like vegan, keto, halal, or gluten‑free?

The sauce is labelled vegetarian and contains no gluten ingredients, so it fits a vegetarian and gluten‑free diet; however, some flavourings are marked “maybe vegan,” so strict vegans should verify their source, the high sugar content makes it unsuitable for keto, and halal compliance depends on the origin of the smoke flavouring.

Heinz • 665 g

Classic Barbecue Smokey & Rich

Fat And Sauces

Product Insights

Heinz Classic Barbecue Smokey & Rich is a vegetarian barbecue sauce sold in 665 g PET bottles, classified under the ‘Fat and sauces’ and ‘Dressings and sauces’ groups. With a Nutri-Score of D and a NOVA 4 classification, it offers virtually no fat (0 g) and low saturated fat, but delivers 20.5 g of sugars and 2.14 g of salt per 100 g, making its calorie content (138 kcal) lower than the average for similar products. The ingredient list centers on tomato puree (about 67 % fruits‑vegetables‑legumes) and includes additives such as xanthan gum (E415), smoke flavouring and natural flavourings, which contribute to its ultra-processed nature.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

high

Salt

high

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal138 kcal

Comparative Analysis

It contains roughly 20.5 g of sugars per 100 g, about 87 % more than the category average of 10.95 g, while its fat (0 g) and salt (2.14 g) are well below the averages of 12.01 g and 5.02 g respectively, and it delivers 138 kcal versus 183 kcal typical for the group.

Ingredients

tomato puree, spirit vinegar, sugar, molasses, water, salt, spices, thickener (xanthan gum), garlic, smoke flavouring, natural flavouring

84%

35%

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Classic Barbecue Smokey & Rich.

Heinz

400 ml