Why is Vegetarian sausages classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The product is made from rehydrated textured soy protein, soy protein concentrate, fortified wheat flour and several processed ingredients such as methyl cellulose and ammonium carbonates, which place it in the ultra‑processed NOVA 4 category. Listed additives include the colourant red iron oxide (E172ii), calcium carbonate (E170i), a stabiliser (methyl cellulose, E461) and raising agents (ammonium carbonates, E503).

How does the salt content in these vegetarian sausages affect a hypertensive diet?

With 1.98 g of salt per 100 g, the product contributes about 33 % of the WHO’s recommended maximum of 5 g of salt per day in a single serving, which can raise blood pressure and should be limited for people managing hypertension.

Are these vegetarian sausages suitable for a vegan, gluten‑free, or keto diet?

The sausages are vegan because they contain no animal‑derived ingredients, but they are not gluten‑free because fortified wheat flour is part of the formulation. Their carbohydrate content of roughly 9 g per 100 g also makes them unsuitable for a strict keto regimen.

Linda McCartney's • 450 g

Vegetarian sausages

Fish Meat Eggs

Product Insights

These Vegetarian sausages are classified in the Fish, Meat, Eggs group of the PNNS categorization. They carry a Nutri-Score of D and are labelled as ultra‑processed (NOVA group 4), offering moderate fat (5.6 g per 100 g), high protein (16 g per 100 g), very low sugar (0.12 g per 100 g) but relatively high salt (1.98 g per 100 g) and contain four listed additives. While the plant‑based formulation provides a soy‑derived protein source, the product is also allergen‑bearing (gluten, soy, sulfites) and exhibits the typical drawbacks of highly processed meat analogues.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

low

Salt

high

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal68 kcal

Energy280 kJ

Fat9.3 g

Saturated Fat0.5 g

Cholesterol0 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average meat‑alternative sausage (average per 100 g: 18.6 g fat, 6.8 g saturated fat, 1.6 g sugar, 3.5 g salt, 255 kcal), this product provides only about 5.6 g fat, 1.7 g saturated fat, 0.1 g sugar, 2.0 g salt and 154 kcal, making it considerably lower in those nutrients.

Ingredients

rehydrated textured _soya_ protein (68%), water, rapeseed oil, _soya_ protein concentrate, seasoning (_sulphites_) (dextrose, flavorings, salt, onion powder, yeast extract, colour, red iron oxide), fortified _wheat_ flour (_wheat_ flour, calcium carbonate, iron, niacin, thiamin), stabiliser: methyl cellulose, tomato puree, salt, raising agent, ammonium carbonates.

84%

35%

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