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Ragù Traditional Smooth Bolognese Sauce: nutrition, salt and what the label does not tell you
A standard serving of Ragù Traditional Smooth Bolognese Sauce (88g) contains 40 kcal, 0.63g of salt and 5.72g 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
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: Ragù Traditional Smooth Bolognese Sauce
Serving
Calories
Salt
Sugar
= teaspoons
Protein
Quarter-jar serving (88g)
40 kcal
0.63g
5.72g
1.4 tsp
1.5g
Half-jar serving (125g)
58 kcal
0.9g
8.13g
2 tsp
2.13g
Half-jar serving (175g)
81 kcal
1.26g
11.38g
2.8 tsp
2.98g
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 Traditional Smooth Bolognese Sauce contains 46 kcal, 0.7g of fat (0.1g saturated), 8.2g of carbohydrate (6.5g sugar), 1.7g of protein and 0.72g of salt per 100g.
Ragù Traditional Smooth has the same high sugar content as the Chunky variant (6.5g per 100g), confirming that the added sugar is in the sauce base rather than in any chunky vegetable components. MadeForMums' independent analysis noted Ragù's high sugar as one of the more prominent examples in the UK pasta sauce category.
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 Traditional Smooth 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 Traditional Smooth Bolognese Sauce contains 0.72g of salt per 100g. A quarter-jar serving (88g) delivers 0.63g 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 0.72g per 100g, this product meets that target.
Sugar and added sugar
Ragù Traditional Smooth Bolognese Sauce contains 6.5g of sugar per 100g. A quarter-jar serving (88g) delivers 5.72g 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
Smooth tomato bolognese sauce
Tomatoes (76%), Water, Tomato Paste, Onion, Modified Corn Starch, Sugar, Garlic, Salt, Soya Bean Oil, Basil, Citric Acid, Natural Flavouring, Spices. Same formulation as Chunky but puréed to a smooth consistency.
Allergens at a glance
Allergen information: Ragù Traditional Smooth 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): 0.63g of salt (11% of the adult daily limit of 6g); Half-jar serving (125g): 0.9g of salt (15% of the adult daily limit of 6g); Half-jar serving (175g): 1.26g of salt (21% of the adult daily limit of 6g).
Ragù Traditional Smooth Bolognese Sauce contains 6.5g of sugar per 100g. A quarter-jar serving (88g) delivers 5.72g of sugar. The sugar present is primarily from natural ingredients.
Ragù Traditional Smooth 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 Traditional Smooth Bolognese Sauce (0.72g per 100g) is higher than a home-made equivalent. The main difference is in the processing additives rather than the nutrition numbers.
Ragù Traditional Smooth 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.
