Why is Original Hot Pepper Sauce classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

It receives a NOVA 4 rating because its ingredient list includes processed pepper mash, added acids and stabilisers, and two listed food additives – acetic acid (E260) used as an acidulant and xanthan gum (E415) acting as a thickening stabiliser.

How does the high salt content in this sauce affect a hypertensive diet?

With 7.8 g of salt per 100 ml, the sauce contributes a large portion of the recommended daily sodium limit; regular consumption can raise blood pressure and should be limited or avoided by people managing hypertension.

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

The formulation is vegan and contains no animal‑derived ingredients, it is low in carbs and sugars which fits a keto approach, and it does not list gluten‑containing grains, so it can be used by vegans, keto adherents and those avoiding gluten, though the mustard allergen may be a concern for some.

Encona • 285 ml

Original Hot Pepper Sauce

Fat And Sauces

Product Insights

Original Hot Pepper Sauce is a vegan hot condiment classified under the PNNS groups "Fat and sauces" and "Dressings and sauces," and it falls within the condiments and hot sauces category. The sauce is low in fat (0.9 g), saturated fat (0.2 g), sugars (0.7 g) and provides only 21 kcal per 100 ml, making it a low‑calorie option for flavor‑hungry consumers. However, it carries a Nutri‑Score of E, is listed as NOVA 4 ultra‑processed, contains two food additives (acetic acid E260 and xanthan gum E415), and has a high salt level of 7.8 g per 100 ml, which may be a concern for sodium‑restricted diets.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

high

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 ml

Energy Kcal21 kcal

Fat0.9 g

Saturated Fat0.2 g

Carbohydrates1.1 g

Sugars0.7 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average condiment in its category, this sauce contains far less fat (0.9 g vs 12 g), sugars (0.7 g vs 11 g) and calories (21 kcal vs 183 kcal) per 100 g, but its salt level (7.8 g) exceeds the typical 5 g.

Ingredients

PEPPER MASH (HABANERO PEPPERS, SCOTCH BONNET PEPPERS, SALT, ACID: ACETIC ACID) (64%), WATER, ACID: ACETIC ACID, SALT, ONION, MUSTARD, MODIFIED MAIZE STARCH, STABILISER: XANTHAN GUM. ALLERGY ADVICE: FOR ALLERGENS, SEE INGREDIENTS IN BOLD. NUTRITION INFORMATION: TYPICAL VALUES PER 100ml. ENERGY 86kJ/

84%

35%

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Original Hot Pepper Sauce.

encona

220ml