Why is Tesco basil pesto and semi-dried tomato pasta classified as NOVA 3 and what additives does it contain?

The product is labeled NOVA 3 because it is a processed food that combines several ingredients such as cooked pasta, pesto sauce, and semi-dried tomatoes, along with added oils and cheese; it contains the additives E300 (ascorbic acid) as an antioxidant and E330 (citric acid) as an acidity regulator.

Is the medium-fat hard cheese in this pasta a concern for people with milk allergy?

Yes, the medium-fat hard cheese is made from milk, so the product is not safe for anyone who is allergic to milk proteins.

Can this pasta be considered suitable for vegan, keto, or gluten-free diets?

No, it is not vegan because it contains dairy cheese, it is not keto-friendly due to 22.7 g of carbohydrates per 100 g, and it is not gluten‑free as it includes durum wheat semolina.

Tesco • 225g

Tesco basil pesto and semi-dried tomato pasta

Composite Foods

Product Insights

Tesco basil pesto and semi-dried tomato pasta is a ready-to-eat composite one-dish meal that falls under the 'Composite foods' and 'One-dish meals' PNNS groups. It carries a Nutri-Score of B and is classified as NOVA 3, offering moderate fat (7.6 g), 6.1 g of protein, 2.4 g of fiber, low sugar (3.1 g) and virtually no salt per 100 g. However, it contains medium‑fat hard cheese (milk) as an allergen, includes the additives E300 (ascorbic acid) and E330 (citric acid), and has a moderate saturated‑fat level (2.1 g), making it a processed but not ultra-processed choice.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

low

Salt

low

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal187 kcal

Fat7.6 g

Saturated Fat2.1 g

Carbohydrates22.7 g

Sugars3.1 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with typical pasta dishes, this Tesco basil pesto and semi-dried tomato pasta provides slightly more calories and fat, notably less sugar and salt, a modestly higher fiber content, but lower protein.

Ingredients

Cooked Pasta [Water, Durum Wheat Semolina], Basil Pesto [Medium Fat Hard Cheese (Milk), Basil, Sunflower Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Salt, Garlic Purée, Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid), Antioxidant (Ascorbic Acid)], Marinated Semi Dried Tomatoes (8%) [Tomato, Sunflower Oil, Salt, Garlic, Oreganol, Spinach, Rapeseed Oil, Spirit Vinegar, Basil, Pecorino Medium Fat Hard Cheese (Milk), Sugar, Malt Vinegar (Barley), White Wine Vinegar, Cornflour, Mustard Seeds, Salt, Mustard Flour, Black Pepper, Parsley, Garlic Purée, Tarragon Oil, Thyme, Clove, Nutmeg, Ground Pimento, Ground Turmeric.

84%

35%

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