Why is Chow Mein stir fry sauce classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The sauce receives a NOVA 4 rating because its formulation relies on refined ingredients such as dark soy sauce, modified maize starch and added sweeteners, and it includes three listed food additives: E150a (plain caramel colour), E260 (acetic acid) and E330 (citric acid).

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

With 19 g of sugar per 100 g, the sauce can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes, making it unsuitable for strict diabetic control, while 1.4 g of salt per 100 g is moderate but still contributes to daily sodium intake and should be limited for people managing hypertension.

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

The product is fully vegan, containing no animal‑derived ingredients, but it includes wheat, barley malt extract and soy, so it is not gluten‑free; the high sugar content also makes it incompatible with a Keto diet.

Blue Dragon • 120 g

Chow Mein stir fry sauce

Fat And Sauces

Product Insights

Chow Mein stir fry sauce is a vegan, plant‑based condiment aimed at flavoring Asian‑style dishes. It belongs to the dressings and sauces group, carries a Nutri‑Score of D and is classified as NOVA 4, with low fat (1.1 g/100 g) and modest salt (1.4 g/100 g) but a high sugar level of 19 g/100 g, and it contains gluten, soy and sesame allergens. While it offers a convenient vegan flavor without artificial flavours, its ultra‑processed nature and sugar load make it less suitable for health‑focused diets.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

moderate

Salt

high

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal106 kcal

Comparative Analysis

Compared with average condiments, this sauce contains almost double the sugar (19 g vs 10.95 g) while providing far less fat (1.1 g vs 12.01 g), saturated fat (0.2 g vs 2.14 g), salt (1.4 g vs 5.02 g) and energy (106 kcal vs 183 kcal per 100 g).

Ingredients

Water, Sugar, Dark Soy Sauce (7%) [Water, Salt, Sugar, Barley Malt Extract, Defatted Soya Bean Flakes, Colour (Plain Caramel), Yeast Extract, Spirit Vinegar, Roasted Wheat], Ginger Purée (4.5%), Spring Onion (4.5%), Modified Maize Starch, Garlic Purée (3.5%), Onion Purée (3%), Toasted Sesame Oil, Red Chilli Paste (1%) [Red Chilli Peppers, Salt, Acidity Regulator (Acetic Acid)], Colour (Plain Caramel), Yeast Extract Paste, Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid). Allergy Advice: For allergens, including cereals containing gluten, see ingredients in bold. May also contain peanuts and nuts. No artificial flavours or preservatives. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

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