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Ragù Original Chunky Bolognese Sauce: nutrition, salt and what the label does not tell you
A standard serving of Ragù Original Chunky Bolognese Sauce (88g) contains 42 kcal, 0.66g of salt and 5.98g of sugar. It is classified as NOVA 4 — ultra-processed food 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: Ragù Original Chunky Bolognese Sauce
Serving
Calories
Salt
Sugar
= teaspoons
Protein
Quarter-jar serving (88g)
42 kcal
0.66g
5.98g
1.5 tsp
1.58g
Half-jar serving (125g)
60 kcal
0.94g
8.5g
2.1 tsp
2.25g
Half-jar serving (175g)
84 kcal
1.31g
11.9g
3 tsp
3.15g
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).
Ragù Original Chunky Bolognese Sauce contains 48 kcal, 0.8g of fat (0.2g saturated), 8.5g of carbohydrate (6.8g sugar), 1.8g of protein and 0.75g of salt per 100g.
Ragù Original Chunky Bolognese has the highest sugar content (6.8g per 100g) of any bolognese sauce in this guide, identified by independent analysis as containing 8g of sugar per 100g in some formulations — more than a third of the adult daily free sugar limit in a standard 125g serving. It contains modified corn starch, citric acid and natural flavouring, placing it firmly in NOVA 4.
The NOVA classification system groups foods by the extent and purpose of processing. NOVA 4 covers products that contain industrial additives not typically used in home cooking — stabilisers, flavour enhancers, modified starches, acidity regulators and similar.
Ragù Original Chunky Bolognese Sauce is classified as NOVA 4 — ultra-processed food under the NOVA food processing system.
The following industrial additives are present in its ingredient list: modified corn starch, flavouring. These ingredients are not present in a home-made equivalent of this sauce — they are used to achieve a consistent texture, extended shelf life, and flavour stability at industrial scale.
NOVA 4 classification does not automatically mean a food is harmful. The NHS Eatwell Guide does not use NOVA classifications, and processed convenience foods can form part of a balanced diet. The significance of the NOVA classification is that it gives a shorthand for identifying foods that have been engineered rather than cooked — useful context when evaluating the ingredient list alongside the nutrition numbers.
Salt
Ragù Original Chunky Bolognese Sauce contains 0.75g of salt per 100g. A quarter-jar serving (88g) delivers 0.66g of salt, 11% of the adult daily limit of 6g.
The 2010 FSA voluntary salt reduction target for pasta sauce is 1.1g per 100g. At 0.75g per 100g, this product meets that target.
Sugar and added sugar
Ragù Original Chunky Bolognese Sauce contains 6.8g of sugar per 100g. A quarter-jar serving (88g) delivers 5.98g 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.
Ingredients
Chunky tomato bolognese sauce
Tomatoes (75%), Water, Tomato Paste, Onion, Modified Corn Starch, Sugar, Carrots, Celery, Garlic, Salt, Soya Bean Oil, Basil, Citric Acid, Natural Flavouring, Spices. Chunky variant uses carrot and celery chunks for texture rather than blended.
Allergens at a glance
Allergen information: Ragù Original Chunky Bolognese 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): 0.66g of salt (11% of the adult daily limit of 6g); Half-jar serving (125g): 0.94g of salt (16% of the adult daily limit of 6g); Half-jar serving (175g): 1.31g of salt (22% of the adult daily limit of 6g).
Ragù Original Chunky Bolognese Sauce contains 6.8g of sugar per 100g. A quarter-jar serving (88g) delivers 5.98g of sugar. The sugar present is primarily from natural ingredients.
Ragù Original Chunky Bolognese Sauce is classified as NOVA 4 — ultra-processed food. It contains modified corn starch, flavouring — industrial additives not typically used in home cooking.
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 Ragù Original Chunky Bolognese Sauce (0.75g per 100g) is higher than a home-made equivalent. The main difference is in the processing additives rather than the nutrition numbers.
Ragù Original Chunky Bolognese 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.
