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Bolognese pasta sauce by Aldi
Aldi

Bolognese pasta sauce

Barcode 4088600304663
Scanned  54  times by Nomi users
Ultra-Processed Food (UPF)

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.

Ingredients

1 ultra-processed marker
  • OK
    tomato
    A fleshy red fruit used as a vegetable in cooking; common ingredient in sauces, salads, and preserves.
  • OK
    concentrated tomato purée
    Concentrated tomato product obtained by reducing tomato puree to a thicker consistency; used to intensify tomato flavor.
  • OK
    onion
    Bulb vegetable with a characteristic pungent flavor, widely used as base in soups, stews, and savory dishes.
  • OK
    sugar
    Granulated sugar derived from sugarcane or sugar beets; a basic, single-ingredient sweetener.
  • UPF
    modified maize starch
    A processed starch, often used as a thickener or binding agent in foods; may be treated to modify properties.
  • OK
    salt water
    A basic mixture of water with dissolved salt; commonly used as a beverage or in cooking as a saline solution.
  • OK
    basil
    Herb used for flavoring; the 0.5% notation suggests a small amount in a formulation.
  • OK
    rapeseed oil
    A basic culinary oil pressed from rapeseeds (Brassica napus). Used for frying, baking, and dressings. Neutral flavor.
  • OK
    garlic purée
    Pureed garlic, often used as a flavoring base.
  • OK
    acidity regulator
    Additives used to control acidity (pH) and acidity in foods, such as citric acid, phosphates, sulphates. Generally considered basic food processing aid ingredients; many are allowed in foods and are not in themselves UPF.
  • OK
    citric acid
    A weak organic acid found in citrus fruits, commonly used as an acidulant and preservative in foods and beverages.
  • OK
    onion powder
    Dried and ground onion used as a seasoning to impart onion flavor.
  • OK
    parsley
    A fresh green herb used to flavor and garnish dishes; commonly added chopped leaves.
  • OK
    basil
    A leafy herb with a sweet, peppery aroma used fresh or dried to season sauces, pizzas, and Mediterranean dishes.
  • OK
    oregano
    A dried aromatic herb used as a spice in cooking, with a warm, slightly bitter flavor.
  • OK
    dried oregano
    A dried herb from the oregano plant (Origanum vulgare). Offers pungent, warm, slightly bitter flavors and is widely used in Italian and Greek cooking.
  • OK
    ground black pepper
    A fine powder made by grinding peppercorns (Piper nigrum); a common, pungent spice used to season savory dishes.

Healthier alternatives

Reviewed by Nomi

Similar products that aren't ultra-processed — swap and keep the flavour.

Swap it for something less processed

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Other sauces, condiments & spreads Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.

Common questions about Bolognese pasta sauce

Is Bolognese pasta sauce ultra-processed?

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.

Which ingredients in Bolognese pasta sauce are ultra-processed?

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.

What are healthier alternatives to Bolognese pasta sauce?

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.

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.

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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.

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