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

The product combines whole beans with several industrially processed ingredients such as modified maize starch, a commercial flavouring and the colourant E160c (paprika extract). These added components, together with the cooking and canning processes, give it a NOVA 4 classification, indicating an ultra‑processed food.

How does the sodium content in this product affect a hypertensive diet?

Each 100 g serving contains about 0.5 g of salt (approximately 200 mg of sodium), which is modest but still contributes to the recommended maximum of 2,300 mg sodium per day. People with high blood pressure should count this amount within their daily limit and may prefer lower‑sodium alternatives if they consume multiple servings.

Based on the ingredient list, is this product suitable for vegan, gluten‑free, or ketogenic dietary patterns?

The beans, tomato purée, water, sugar, modified maize starch, salt, spices, colour and rapeseed oil are all plant‑derived, making the product fully vegan and naturally gluten‑free. However, with 13 g of carbohydrates per 100 g, it contains too many carbs for a strict ketogenic diet.

Essential Waitrose • 400g

Baked Beans In Tomato Sauce

Composite Foods

Product Insights

Baked Beans In Tomato Sauce from Essential Waitrose is a canned plant‑based meal classified under the Composite foods group and marketed as a ready‑to‑heat one‑dish option. It carries a Nutri‑Score of A and a NOVA 4 rating, reflecting very low fat (0.5 g per 100 g), low saturated fat, high fiber (4 g) and a solid protein content (7.8 g) but contains added sugar and a modest amount of salt (0.5 g). The product is vegan and free from common allergens such as gluten, yet includes the food colour additive E160c (paprika extract) and a flavouring component, which some consumers may wish to avoid.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Added Sugars2.6 g

Fruits & Vegetables94.8 %

Comparative Analysis

Compared with typical canned bean meals, this product provides far less fat (0.5 g vs 5.94 g average), substantially lower salt (0.5 g vs 3.55 g), similar protein (7.8 g vs 7.16 g), higher fiber (4 g vs 2.08 g), and slightly more sugar (3.8 g vs 3.57 g) while delivering only about half the average energy (85 kcal vs 175 kcal).

Ingredients

Haricot beans (52%), water, tomato purée (20%), sugar, modified maize starch, salt, flavouring, onion powder, ground paprika, colour (paprika extract), rapeseed oil, clove extract, cinnamon extract, chilli extract, garlic extract

84%

35%

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Baked Beans In Tomato Sauce.

Sainsbury's,Hubbard's Foodstore

400 g