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Sainsbury's Basil Pesto: nutrition, salt and what the label does not tell you
A standard serving of Sainsbury's Basil Pesto (45g) contains 163 kcal, 0.99g of salt and 1.13g of sugar. It is classified as NOVA 3 — 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: Sainsbury's Basil Pesto
Serving
Calories
Salt
Sugar
= teaspoons
Protein
Pesto serving (45g per 100g pasta)
163 kcal
0.99g
1.13g
0.3 tsp
2.61g
Pesto serving (50g)
182 kcal
1.1g
1.25g
0.3 tsp
2.9g
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).
Sainsbury's Basil Pesto contains 363 kcal, 34g of fat (5.8g saturated), 7.2g of carbohydrate (2.5g sugar), 5.8g of protein and 2.2g of salt per 100g.
Sainsbury's own-brand Basil Pesto closely mirrors Tesco's formulation. A 45g pesto serving delivers 15.3g of fat and 0.99g of salt. The high fat content (34g per 100g) is from olive and sunflower oils rather than the cheese, which is present in relatively small quantities.
The NOVA classification system groups foods by the extent and purpose of processing. NOVA 3 covers foods that have been processed using salt, sugar, oil or other culinary substances, but without industrial additives.
Sainsbury's Basil Pesto is classified as NOVA 3 — processed food under the NOVA food processing system.
Salt
Sainsbury's Basil Pesto contains 2.2g of salt per 100g, which is concentrated — pesto is used in smaller portions than jar sauces. A pesto serving (45g per 100g pasta) delivers 0.99g of salt, 17% of the adult daily limit of 6g.
At 2.2g 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
Sainsbury's Basil Pesto contains 2.5g of sugar per 100g. A pesto serving (45g per 100g pasta) delivers 1.13g of sugar. In pesto, the sugar content is low (from the basil and garlic) and there is typically no added sugar.
Ingredients
Basil pesto
Basil (35%), Sunflower Oil, Grana Padano (Milk) (12%), Cashew Nuts, Potato Flakes, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Pine Kernels, Salt, Garlic, Parmigiano Reggiano (Milk) (2%), Acidity Regulator (Lactic Acid).
Allergens at a glance
Allergen information: Sainsbury's Basil Pesto
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): 0.99g of salt (17% of the adult daily limit of 6g); Pesto serving (50g): 1.1g of salt (18% of the adult daily limit of 6g).
Sainsbury's Basil Pesto contains 2.5g of sugar per 100g. A pesto serving (45g per 100g pasta) delivers 1.13g of sugar. The sugar present is primarily from natural ingredients.
Sainsbury's Basil Pesto is classified as NOVA 3 — processed food. 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 Sainsbury's Basil Pesto (2.2g per 100g) is higher than a home-made equivalent. The main difference is in the processing additives rather than the nutrition numbers.
Sainsbury's Basil Pesto 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.
