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Barilla Bolognese Pasta Sauce: nutrition, salt and what the label does not tell you
A standard serving of Barilla Bolognese Pasta Sauce (88g) contains 48 kcal, 0.7g of salt and 4.58g of sugar. It is classified as NOVA 2 — minimally processed under the NOVA food processing system.
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Salt, sugar and UPF level by serving
Choose a brand, sauce and serving size. See how salt, sugar, saturated fat and NOVA processing level compare across brands and own-label alternatives.
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Nutrition by serving
Nutrition by serving: Barilla Bolognese Pasta Sauce
Serving
Calories
Salt
Sugar
= teaspoons
Protein
Quarter-jar serving (88g)
48 kcal
0.7g
4.58g
1.1 tsp
1.32g
Half-jar serving (125g)
69 kcal
1g
6.5g
1.6 tsp
1.88g
Half-jar serving (175g)
96 kcal
1.4g
9.1g
2.3 tsp
2.63g
Salt highlighted in amber above 15% of adult daily limit (6g), red above 33%. Sugar highlighted similarly against 30g adult daily free sugar limit. Teaspoons calculated at 4g per teaspoon (level teaspoon of granulated sugar).
Barilla Bolognese Pasta Sauce contains 55 kcal, 2.5g of fat (0.4g saturated), 6.5g of carbohydrate (5.2g sugar), 1.5g of protein and 0.8g of salt per 100g.
Barilla Bolognese uses a traditional soffritto base with no modified starch or acidity regulators — NOVA 2, distinguishing it from all the other mainstream branded bolognese sauces (Dolmio, Ragu, Bertolli are all NOVA 4). This makes the Barilla range notable as the only mainstream UK pasta sauce brand where the core range is consistently NOVA 2.
NOVA food processing classification
NOVA 2 — minimally processed
All whole food ingredients including soffritto base; no industrial additives.
The NOVA classification system groups foods by the extent and purpose of processing. NOVA 2 covers processed culinary ingredients — oil, salt, vinegar — and simple combinations of whole foods made using minimal processing.
Barilla Bolognese Pasta Sauce is classified as NOVA 2 — minimally processed under the NOVA food processing system.
A NOVA 2 or 3 classification for a jarred pasta sauce is unusual. Most ambient pasta sauces in UK supermarkets contain at least modified maize starch and citric acid, which would push them into NOVA 4. The short ingredient list of Barilla Bolognese Pasta Sauce — using only recognisable whole food ingredients with no industrial additives — reflects a different approach to manufacturing that trades longer shelf life and price efficiency for a simpler formulation.
Salt
Barilla Bolognese Pasta Sauce contains 0.8g of salt per 100g. A quarter-jar serving (88g) delivers 0.7g of salt, 12% of the adult daily limit of 6g.
The 2010 FSA voluntary salt reduction target for pasta sauce is 1.1g per 100g. At 0.8g per 100g, this product meets that target.
Sugar and added sugar
Barilla Bolognese Pasta Sauce contains 5.2g of sugar per 100g. A quarter-jar serving (88g) delivers 4.58g of sugar. Tomatoes contain natural sugar (fructose), so some sugar content in any tomato-based sauce is expected. The key question is whether additional sugar has been added beyond what the tomatoes themselves provide.
The ingredient list for Barilla Bolognese Pasta Sauce includes added sugar. Tomatoes at peak ripeness contain around 2.5g to 3g of natural sugar per 100g — any total sugar content meaningfully above that reflects added sugar in the recipe. The amount of added sugar is not required to be declared separately on UK food labels, making it impossible to determine from the nutrition panel alone how much of the stated sugar is natural versus added.
Allergen information: Barilla Bolognese Pasta Sauce
Wheat
Not present
Rye
Not present
Barley
Not present
Oats
Not present
Sesame
Not present
Soya
Not present
Milk
Not present
Eggs
Not present
Fish
Not present
Crustaceans
Not present
Celery
Not present
Mustard
Not present
Molluscs
Not present
Lupin
Not present
Frequently asked questions
Quarter-jar serving (88g): 0.7g of salt (12% of the adult daily limit of 6g); Half-jar serving (125g): 1g of salt (17% of the adult daily limit of 6g); Half-jar serving (175g): 1.4g of salt (23% of the adult daily limit of 6g).
Barilla Bolognese Pasta Sauce contains 5.2g of sugar per 100g. A quarter-jar serving (88g) delivers 4.58g of sugar. The ingredient list includes added sugar alongside the natural sugars from tomatoes.
Barilla Bolognese Pasta Sauce is classified as NOVA 2 — minimally processed. It contains only recognisable whole food ingredients without industrial additives.
A home-made tomato pasta sauce using tinned tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, basil and salt typically contains around 0.3g to 0.5g of salt per 100g (from the added salt alone), no modified starch, and no acidity regulators. The salt content of Barilla Bolognese Pasta Sauce (0.8g per 100g) is higher than a home-made equivalent. The main difference is in the processing additives rather than the nutrition numbers.
Barilla Bolognese Pasta Sauce does not contain meat, fish or other non-vegetarian ingredients in its standard recipe. It is suitable for vegetarians.
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Nutrition from official brand UK labels (Dolmio UK, Loyd Grossman UK, Sacla' UK, Napolina UK, Barilla UK), Action on Salt pasta sauce and pesto surveys (2009, 2017), Which? blind taste test 2023 (pesto), MadeForMums independent analysis, and UK supermarket product listings. NOVA classifications from ingredient lists at time of writing. For guidance only, not medical advice.
