Why is Sauce apéritif Mexicanita style médium classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The sauce combines many refined ingredients such as added sugar, modified corn starch, tomato concentrate and a range of flavor enhancers, which are characteristic of ultra‑processed foods, placing it in NOVA 4. Its additive list includes E330 (citric acid) used as an acidity regulator, E509 (calcium chloride) as a firming agent, and a preservative blend that contains sulfites.

How does the high sugar and moderate salt content of this sauce affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 23.6 g of sugar per 100 g, the sauce can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes, making it unsuitable for strict diabetic meal plans. The 0.39 g of salt per 100 g adds to daily sodium intake, which may challenge blood‑pressure control for hypertensive individuals, so consumption should be limited.

Is Sauce apéritif Mexicanita style médium suitable for vegan or gluten‑free diets?

All listed ingredients are plant‑based, so the sauce is technically vegan, although the presence of sulfites might be a concern for some vegans who avoid processed additives. No wheat‑derived components are declared, making it compatible with a gluten‑free diet, provided cross‑contamination is not an issue.

General Mills, Old El Paso • 335 g

Sauce apéritif Mexicanita style médium

Fat And Sauces

Product Insights

Sauce apéritif Mexicanita style médium is a medium‑spicy Mexican‑style appetizer sauce produced in Spain and sold in French retailers. It belongs to the dressings and sauces family, carries a Nutri‑Score of C and is classified as NOVA group 4, indicating an ultra‑processed product. Per 100 g it provides 120 kcal, 27.4 g carbohydrates with 23.6 g sugars (high), 0.4 g fat (low), 1 g protein and 0.39 g salt (moderate), while offering 1.2 g fiber, no saturated fat, and includes sulfites as well as the additives E330 (citric acid) and E509 (calcium chloride).

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal120 kcal

Fat0.4 g

Saturated Fat0 g

Carbohydrates27.4 g

Sugars23.6 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average values for sauces, its sugar content (23.6 g/100 g) is more than double the category average of 10.95 g, while its fat (0.4 g) and salt (0.39 g) are far below the typical 12.0 g of fat and 5.0 g of salt found in similar products.

Ingredients

Tomates en morceaux (30%), eau, sucre, poivron rouge, vinaigre, concentré de tomates, oignons déshydratés (contient des sulfites), purée de citron vert, amidon modifié de maïs, piments jalapeno (0,4%), sel, correcteur d'acidité (acide citrique), affermissant (chlorure de calcium), feuilles de coriandre

84%

35%

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