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Barilla Pesto Genovese: nutrition, salt and what the label does not tell you
A standard serving of Barilla Pesto Genovese (45g) contains 185 kcal, 0.81g of salt and 0.9g 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
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Nutrition by serving
Nutrition by serving: Barilla Pesto Genovese
Serving
Calories
Salt
Sugar
= teaspoons
Protein
Pesto serving (45g per 100g pasta)
185 kcal
0.81g
0.9g
0.2 tsp
2.48g
Pesto serving (50g)
205 kcal
0.9g
1g
0.3 tsp
2.75g
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 Pesto Genovese contains 410 kcal, 41g of fat (6.5g saturated), 5g of carbohydrate (2g sugar), 5.5g of protein and 1.8g of salt per 100g.
Barilla Pesto Genovese is the only mainstream UK pesto classified as NOVA 2 — it contains no potato flakes and no lactic acid acidity regulator. The higher oil content makes it the most calorie-dense product in this guide (410 kcal per 100g), but the ingredient list is the cleanest of any supermarket-available pesto. It uses DOP-certified Grana Padano (15%) and Pecorino Romano (2%).
NOVA food processing classification
NOVA 2 — minimally processed
All whole food ingredients; no acidity regulators or potato flakes.
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 Pesto Genovese 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 Pesto Genovese — 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 Pesto Genovese contains 1.8g of salt per 100g, which is concentrated — pesto is used in smaller portions than jar sauces. A pesto serving (45g per 100g pasta) delivers 0.81g of salt, 14% of the adult daily limit of 6g.
At 1.8g of salt per 100g this is a high-salt product by UK Food Standards Agency standards (above 1.5g per 100g counts as high). Pasta sauce is often eaten alongside other salty components — Parmesan cheese, bread, cured meat — so the cumulative salt load of a pasta meal can easily exceed the adult daily limit.
Sugar and added sugar
Barilla Pesto Genovese contains 2g of sugar per 100g. A pesto serving (45g per 100g pasta) delivers 0.9g of sugar. In pesto, the sugar content is low (from the basil and garlic) and there is typically no added sugar.
Ingredients
Genovese basil pesto
Sunflower Oil, Basil (25%), Grana Padano DOP (Milk) (15%), Cashew Nuts, Extra Virgin Olive Oil (5%), Pine Kernels, Salt, Pecorino Romano DOP (Milk) (2%). No potato flakes; no lactic acid — the only mainstream pesto that avoids both typical NOVA 3 indicators.
Allergens at a glance
Allergen information: Barilla Pesto Genovese
Wheat
Not present
Rye
Not present
Barley
Not present
Oats
Not present
Sesame
Not present
Soya
Not present
Milk
Contains
Eggs
Not present
Fish
Not present
Crustaceans
Not present
Celery
Not present
Mustard
Not present
Molluscs
Not present
Lupin
Not present
Frequently asked questions
Pesto serving (45g per 100g pasta): 0.81g of salt (14% of the adult daily limit of 6g); Pesto serving (50g): 0.9g of salt (15% of the adult daily limit of 6g).
Barilla Pesto Genovese contains 2g of sugar per 100g. A pesto serving (45g per 100g pasta) delivers 0.9g of sugar. The sugar present is primarily from natural ingredients.
Barilla Pesto Genovese 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 Pesto Genovese (1.8g per 100g) is higher than a home-made equivalent. The main difference is in the processing additives rather than the nutrition numbers.
Barilla Pesto Genovese 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.
