Green pestos
Barilla Rustic Basil Pesto
6.5 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Contains seed oils
Why it scores 60
Barilla Rustic Basil Pesto scores 60 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 9 points Salt 2.5 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
- minus 5 points Saturated fat 5 g / 100 g: High in saturated fat. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better pesto
-
Alessi Pesto Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Vegan Kale, Cashew & Basil Pesto Trader Joe's · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 79 out of 100 , 19 points higher -
Homemade Noodles Pesto Mrs. Miller's · 14 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Basil Pesto Stir in Sauce Private Selection · 30 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 79 out of 100 , 19 points higher -
Organic Roasted Red Pepper and Almond Pesto Sauce Trader Joe's Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 89 out of 100 , 29 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Rustic Basil Pesto
Ingredients
- Vegetable oil (unspecified) minus 2.5 points
- Sunflower oil minus 2.5 points
- Yeast extract minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 5 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Salt 2.5 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Energy 317 kcal / 100 g minus 1 points
100 − 40.5 = 59.5 → 60
Can’t score above 79. High in fat and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [9]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 317 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 31.7 g |
| Saturated fat | 5 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6.7 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 1.7 g |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Salt | 2.5 g |
Serving: 60g
Ingredients
- BASIL
- VEGETABLE OILS (OLIVE, SUNFLOWER)
- SPINACH
- GARLIC
- GRANA PADANO CHEESE (CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES [EGG])
- SALT
- CASHEWS
- POTATO FLAKES
- PECORINO ROMANO CHEESE (SHEEP'S MILK, SALT, ENZYMES)
- LACTIC ACID
- YEAST EXTRACT
- NATURAL BASIL FLAVOR
Label text, as published
BASIL, VEGETABLE OILS (OLIVE AND/OR SUNFLOWER), SPINACH, GARLIC, GRANA PADANO CHEESE (CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES [EGG]), SALT, CASHEWS, POTATO FLAKES, PECORINO ROMANO CHEESE (SHEEP'S MILK, SALT, ENZYMES), LACTIC ACID, YEAST EXTRACT, NATURAL BASIL FLAVOR
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Tree nuts, Egg
- 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 -
Classic Pesto Classique Filippo Berio · 6.7 oz High in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 54 out of 100 Okay -
Basil Pesto Rana · 7 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatContains added sugars Score 39 out of 100 Poor -
Basil Pesto Rao's Homemade · 6.7 oz/190 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatContains added sugars Score 23 out of 100 Poor -
Traditional Basil Pesto Sauce & Spread Classico · 8.1 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatContains seed oils Score 60 out of 100 Good -
Basil Pesto Sauce Trader Joe's Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 44 out of 100 Okay
More from Barilla
Sources
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“replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”
doi.org
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“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
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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
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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
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“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org