Yes — Bolognese pasta sauce is ultra-processed.
The ingredient list is valid. This product is classified as ultra-processed (UPF) because it contains modified maize starch and citric acid, which are industrial additives used as thickeners/stabilizers and acidity regulators, respectively. The presence of these extracted/modified ingredients goes beyond basic culinary processing, so under NOVA this sauce is UPF, even though many other ingredients (tomato, onion, herbs, rapeseed oil, sugar) are minimally processed or basic foods.
Similar products that aren't ultra-processed — swap and keep the flavour.
Other sauces, condiments & spreads Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
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Real Ketchup 485 g
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double concentré de tomates bio
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Not UPF
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Not UPF
Sun dried dried tomato pesto
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Not UPF
Bolognese Pasta Sauce
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Not UPF
Bolognese Pasta Sauce
Specially Selected, Aldi
Not UPF
Yes — Bolognese pasta sauce by Aldi is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The ingredient list is valid. This product is classified as ultra-processed (UPF) because it contains modified maize starch and citric acid, which are industrial additives used as thickeners/stabilizers and acidity regulators, respectively. The presence of these extracted/modified ingredients goes beyond basic culinary processing, so under NOVA this sauce is UPF, even though many other ingredients (tomato, onion, herbs, rapeseed oil, sugar) are minimally processed or basic foods.
Nomi flags one ingredient in Bolognese pasta sauce as an ultra-processed marker: modified maize starch. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.
Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including Bolognese Pasta Sauce by Tesco, Bolognese Pasta Sauce by Mutti, bolognese sauce by Filippo Berio. See the healthier alternatives above for details.
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.
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.
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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.