Green pestos
Mezzetta Basil Pesto
6.25 oz
Score
- High in salt
- High in saturated fat
- Seed-oil free
Why it scores 73
Mezzetta Basil Pesto scores 73 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 9 points Saturated fat 30 g / 100 g: Very high in saturated fat. Strong
- minus 9 points Salt 2.6 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
- minus 8 points Processed (NOVA 3): Classified NOVA 3: processed with added salt, sugar or oil. Emerging
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better pesto
-
Alessi Pesto Less salt · Less saturated fat Score 100 out of 100 , 27 points higher -
Homemade Noodles Pesto Mrs. Miller's · 14 oz Less salt · Less saturated fat Score 100 out of 100 , 27 points higher -
Carrot Pesto Freak Flag Organics · 6.75 oz/191 g Less salt · Less saturated fat Score 100 out of 100 , 27 points higher -
Organic Roasted Red Pepper and Almond Pesto Sauce Trader Joe's Less salt · Less saturated fat Score 89 out of 100 , 16 points higher -
Sun dried tomato pesto Stonewall Kitchen · 227 g Less salt · Less saturated fat Score 92 out of 100 , 19 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Basil Pesto
Processing
- Processed (NOVA 3) minus 8 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 30 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Salt 2.6 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Energy 533 kcal / 100 g minus 3 points
- Fiber 3.3 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 27 = 73
Can’t score above 79. High in fat, saturated fat and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [5]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 533 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 53.3 g |
| Saturated fat | 30 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3.3 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 3.3 g |
| Protein | 6.7 g |
| Salt | 2.6 g |
Serving: 1 serving (30 g)
Ingredients
- EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
- FRESH BASIL
- PARMESAN CHEESE (MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES)
- WATER
- ALMONDS
- SEA SALT
- FRESH GARLIC
- PINE NUTS
- NON-GMO LACTIC ACID
- SPICES
- ROSEMARY EXTRACT
- NON-GMO ASCORBIC ACID
- CITRIC ACID
Label text, as published
EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, FRESH BASIL, PARMESAN CHEESE (MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), WATER, ALMONDS, SEA SALT, FRESH GARLIC, PINE NUTS, NON-GMO LACTIC ACID, SPICES, ROSEMARY EXTRACT, NON-GMO ASCORBIC ACID, CITRIC ACID.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Tree nuts
- Not vegan
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More green pestos on GoodSwap
-
Basil Pesto Kirkland Signature · 624 g High in saltHigh in saturated fatSeed-oil free Score 75 out of 100 Good -
Rustic Basil Pesto Barilla · 6.5 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains seed oils Score 60 out of 100 Good -
Classic Pesto Classique Filippo Berio · 6.7 oz High in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 54 out of 100 Okay -
Basil Pesto Prego · 8 oz High in saltHigh in saturated fatContains seed oils Score 72 out of 100 Good -
Vegan Pesto Gotham Greens · 6.5 oz High in saturated fatNo additivesSeed-oil free Score 79 out of 100 Good -
Basil Pesto Giovanni Rana · 12.5 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatContains added sugars Score 39 out of 100 Poor
More from Mezzetta
Sources
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Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
who.int
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“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
-
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
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“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk