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Kirkland Signature Basil Pesto
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Green pestos

Kirkland Signature Basil Pesto

624 g

Good out of 100 Medium confidence
  • High in salt
  • High in saturated fat
  • Seed-oil free
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Why it scores 75

Kirkland Signature Basil Pesto scores 75 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Salt 2.6 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
  2. Processed (NOVA 3): Classified NOVA 3: processed with added salt, sugar or oil. Emerging
  3. Saturated fat 8.3 g / 100 g: Very high in saturated fat. Strong

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

Better pesto

The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.

The Receipt

Basil Pesto

START100

Processing

  • Processed (NOVA 3)
    Emerging Classified NOVA 3: processed with added salt, sugar or oil. [1]
subtotal−8

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Saturated fat 8.3 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in saturated fat. [2]
  • Salt 2.6 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in salt. [3]
  • Energy 550 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [4]
  • Protein 10 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [4]
subtotal−17
TOTAL 75Good

100 − 25 = 75

Can’t score above 79. High in fat, saturated fat and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [5]

GTIN 00096619905515 · 2026-08-25

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy550 kcal
Fat50 g
Saturated fat8.3 g
Carbohydrates15 g
Sugars0 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber1.7 g
Protein10 g
Salt2.6 g

Serving: 60 g

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.
Label text, as published

basil blend (genovese basil d.0.p., sunfluwer oil, sea salt) sunflower oil, parmesan cheese, (pasteurized part-skim cow's milk, cheese cultures, sea salt, enzymes), pine nuts, extra virgin olive oil, pecorino romano d.o.p.cheese (sheep's milk, rennet, salt), fresh garlic, ascorbic acid, citric acid, black pepper. contains: milk, pine nuts.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk, Tree nuts

  • Not vegan
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest green pestos in the US

More from Kirkland Signature

Sources

  1. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  2. Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline

    World Health Organization · Jul 17, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”

    who.int

  3. Sodium reduction (fact sheet)

    World Health Organization · May 11, 2026 · Agency assessment

    “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

  4. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture · January 2026 · Regulator

    “Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”

    cdn.realfood.gov

  5. Guide to creating a front of pack (FoP) nutrition label for pre-packed products sold through retail outlets

    Department of Health and Social Care / Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK) · Nov 8, 2016 · Regulator

    “Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”

    assets.publishing.service.gov.uk