Why is Hacendado Cheese Sauce classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

NOVA 4 denotes foods made mostly from industrial ingredients and containing multiple additives. This sauce includes emulsifiers (E472e), stabilisers (guma xantana – E415), acidity regulators (E260, E270), thickeners, colourants (E160a), phosphates (E339) and preservatives (E331), all of which are characteristic of ultra‑processed formulations.

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

The 21.7 g of fat (including 4.2 g saturated) per 100 ml raises total calorie intake, which can hinder blood‑glucose control for diabetics if consumed in large portions. The 2.58 g of salt (≈ 1 g sodium) exceeds half the recommended daily limit, potentially aggravating blood‑pressure levels in hypertensive individuals.

Is this cheese sauce suitable for gluten‑free, vegan, keto, or halal diets?

The product is certified gluten‑free, but it contains cheese and skimmed milk, so it is not vegan. Its carbohydrate level (14.3 g per 100 ml) is relatively high for strict keto diets. Regarding halal, the cheese may use animal rennet, which is not confirmed, so consumers requiring halal certification should verify the source.

Hacendado • 280 ml

Salsa de queso

Fat And Sauces

Product Insights

Hacendado Cheese Sauce is a ready‑to‑use dairy‑based sauce marketed by Mercadona, classified in the 'Fat and sauces' and 'Dressings and sauces' groups. It carries a Nutri‑Score of E and is placed in NOVA group 4, indicating an ultra‑processed product; per 100 ml it delivers 272 kcal, 21.7 g fat (4.2 g saturated), 4.4 g protein and 2.58 g salt, with low sugars but a high overall fat and calorie load. While it provides a decent amount of protein and is gluten‑free, the high saturated‑fat content, elevated salt level, and presence of several additives (E339, E331, E472e, E415, E160a) reduce its health profile.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

low

Salt

high

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 ml

Energy Kcal272 kcal

Fat21.7 g

Saturated Fat4.2 g

Carbohydrates14.3 g

Sugars3.4 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average cheese sauce, this product has much higher fat, saturated fat and calories, but lower sugar and salt levels.

Ingredients

Agua, aceite de colza, 9% queso cheddar, 6% leche desnatada, 5% pimientos cortados en cubitos, almidón de maiz modifcato todenin, 3% tomates en zumo de tomate (tomates, jugo de tomate), cebolla, aroma natural (contiene lactosa), leche deside the proteína de leche, azúcar, sal, pasta de jalapeño (jalapeño, sal, acidulante: ácido acético), suero de leche dulce en polvo proti este cale de fundido: 452, E 339, E 331, emulgente: E 472e, espesante: goma xantana, especias, extracto de levadur, nur noc emade polo de hongos, extracto de ajo, acidulante: ácido láctico, sal yodada (sal, yodato de potasio), jarabe de azúca camanecza extracto de especias, colorante: E 160a. de tomate em suco de tomate (tomate, suco de tomate), cebola, natural sabor (contém lactose), leite em pó desnatado, protein Aqua, oleo de colza, 9% de queijo cheddar, 6% de leite desnatado, 5% de pimentão em cubos, amido de milho modificado, maltode 42,339, E 331, emulsionante: E 472e, espessante: goma xantana, especiarias, extracto de levedura, apicar, sal, pasta de jalapeño (jalapeño, sal, acidulante: ácido acético), soro de leite doce em pó (proteína do leite), sais de fr so rarope de açúcar caramelizado, extrato de especiarias, corante: E 160a. moscada em pó, cogumelo em pó, extracto de alho, acidulante: ácido láctico, sal iodado (sal, iodato de Peso neto/ 280m líquido:

84%

35%

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