By Sainsbury's

Basil Pesto

Barcode 00474474

Scanned 8 times by Nomi users

No — Basil Pesto is not ultra-processed.

The ingredient list contains only culinary ingredients and no industrial additives, refined syrups, artificial flavors, or emulsifiers. Basil, cheeses, olive and rapeseed oils, lemon juice, pine nuts, garlic purée, salt, and potato starch are all traditional or basic cooking ingredients, so this would not be classified as ultra-processed under NOVA.

Ingredients

No ultra-processed markers

OK

basil

A fresh herb used to flavour dishes; commonly added at the end of cooking.
OK

pecorino cheese (sheep's milk)

A hard, salty cheese made from sheep’s milk; typically aged and used grated or sliced.
OK

extra virgin olive oil

A high-quality olive oil produced by cold pressing olives, used as a base fat or dressing.
OK

rapeseed oil

A basic culinary oil pressed from rapeseeds (Brassica napus). Used for frying, baking, and dressings. Neutral flavor.
OK

lemon juice

The clear, acidic juice extracted from lemons, used for brightness and acidity in foods and drinks.
OK

medium-fat hard cheese (cow's milk)

A firm, aged cheese made from cow's milk with moderate fat content; commonly used for slicing or grating.
OK

pine nuts

Edible seeds of pine trees, used as a snack or in dishes like pesto; fatty, nutty flavor and rich in healthy fats.
OK

garlic purée

Pureed garlic, often used as a flavoring base.
OK

salt

Common mineral compound (sodium chloride) used as a seasoning and preservative across cuisines.
OK

potato starch

A basic, finely ground starch derived from potatoes; used as a thickener and binder in foods.

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Common questions about Basil Pesto

Is Basil Pesto ultra-processed?

No — Basil Pesto by By Sainsbury's is not ultra-processed, so it is not a UPF (ultra-processed food). The ingredient list contains only culinary ingredients and no industrial additives, refined syrups, artificial flavors, or emulsifiers. Basil, cheeses, olive and rapeseed oils, lemon juice, pine nuts, garlic purée, salt, and potato starch are all traditional or basic cooking ingredients, so this would not be classified as ultra-processed under NOVA.

What does "ultra-processed" (UPF) mean?

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrial formulations made with ingredients and additives you wouldn't find in a home kitchen — such as emulsifiers, artificial flavourings, colourings and modified starches. The classification is based on the NOVA system used by researchers and dietitians worldwide.

How can I check whether other foods are ultra-processed?

Scan any barcode — or photograph the ingredients label — with the free Nomi app for iOS and Android. You'll get an instant ultra-processed verdict with every ingredient explained in plain English.

Product information comes from public databases and Nomi's own analysis, and may contain errors. Always check the packaging. Ultra-processed classification is based on the NOVA food processing system.