Why is Pesto alla Genovese classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The sauce includes refined sunflower oil, added sugar, a food‑grade acid regulator (glucono‑delta‑lactone), flavourings and the emulsifier E575, all of which are typical of ultra‑processed foods, placing it in the NOVA 4 category.

How does the high fat and salt content in this pesto affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

The 42 g of fat per 100 g, especially 6.4 g of saturated fat, can raise blood lipid levels, while 4.2 g of salt contributes to higher blood pressure, making it a less suitable choice for people managing diabetes or hypertension.

Based on its ingredient list, is this pesto suitable for vegan, keto, halal, or gluten‑free diets?

It is not vegan because it contains hard cheese and an egg‑derived lysozyme, it is not strictly keto due to the presence of potatoes, it may be halal if the cheeses are certified permissible, and it is gluten‑free as no wheat ingredients are listed.

PRIMO GUSTO • 190

Pesto alla Genovese

Fat And Sauces

Product Insights

Pesto alla Genovese is a green pesto sauce marketed as a condiment and belongs to the Fat and sauces (dressings and sauces) family. It carries a Nutri‑Score of E and falls into NOVA 4, reflecting its ultra‑processed nature with ingredients such as refined sunflower oil, added sugars, acid regulator (glucono‑delta‑lactone), flavourings and the additive E575. Nutritionally, the product is very high in fat (42 g/100 g) and saturated fat (6.4 g/100 g), contains a high amount of salt (4.2 g/100 g), provides little fiber and virtually no fruit or vegetable content, which outweighs the positive of basil flavor.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

low

Salt

high

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal418 kcal

Fat42 g

Saturated Fat6.4 g

Carbohydrates4.6 g

Sugars2.3 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with average condiments, this pesto provides roughly three times more fat, double the saturated fat, far less sugar, and slightly less salt per 100 g.

Ingredients

Βασιλικός 35%, ηλιέλαιο, πατάτα, σκληρό τυρί 7,5%(περιέχει λυσοζύμη αυγού), κάσιους, τυρί πεκορίνο, αλάτι, ζάχαρι, κουκουνάρι 1,4%, ρυθμιστής οξύτητας: γλυκονο-δ-λακτόνη, ελαιόλαδο, αρωματικές ύλες, σκόρδο 0,1%. Πιθανό να περιέχει ίχνη από αραχίδες και καρπούς με κέλυφος. Ingredients: Basil 35%, Sunflower oil, potatoes, hard cheese 7.5% (contains egglysozyme), cashew nuts, pecorino cheese, salt, sugar, pine nuts 1.4%, acidiy regulator: glucono-delta-lactone, olive oil, flavourings, garlic 0.1%. It may contain traces of peanuts and nuts.

84%

35%

Unlock What Your Food Doesn't Tell You

Scan this and millions of other food products to discover hidden positive & negative points, scores percentage, additives, allergens, and deeper product insights with the free NutrScan app.