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Yes — Red Pesto is ultra-processed.
Not a great choice for everyday.
Red pesto is classified as ultra-processed because it contains acidity regulator (lactic acid), a pre-identified UPF ingredient and extracted additive. The product also contains preservative (egg lysozyme), although the lactic acid acidity regulator is sufficient for the classification. The remaining ingredients are mainly recognizable culinary foods and basic ingredients.
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.
Apricot Jam
Bonne Maman
Not UPF
Buttersoft
By sainsbury's
Not UPF
Frank's Red Hot Original
Frank’s, French's
Not UPF
Red pepper houmous
Tesco
Not UPF
Smoky Roasted Red Pepper Houmous
Sainsbury's
Not UPF
Houmous
Waitrose Duchy Organic
Not UPF
Whole Grain Mustard
Bramwells
Not UPF
Lemon curd
Bonne Maman
Not UPF
Real Ketchup 485 g
Stokes
Not UPF
double concentré de tomates bio
Mutti
Not UPF
Yes — Red Pesto by Asda is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). Red pesto is classified as ultra-processed because it contains acidity regulator (lactic acid), a pre-identified UPF ingredient and extracted additive. The product also contains preservative (egg lysozyme), although the lactic acid acidity regulator is sufficient for the classification. The remaining ingredients are mainly recognizable culinary foods and basic ingredients.
Nomi flags one ingredient in Red Pesto as an ultra-processed marker: lactic acid. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.
Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including Sun dried dried tomato pesto by Filippo Berio, Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Rosso by Deluxe,Lidl, Sun dried tomato pesto by Belazu. 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.
This page was shared from Nomi, the free app that tells you instantly whether any food is ultra-processed.
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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.
