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Rao's Homestyle Rao's bolognese pasta sauce
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Sauces

Rao's Homestyle Rao's bolognese pasta sauce

24 oz

Okay out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • Contains nitrites or nitrates
  • Seed-oil free
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Why it scores 48

Rao's Homestyle Rao's bolognese pasta sauce scores 48 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Bacon: IARC classifies processed meat (cured, salted, smoked or fermented) as Group 1, based on colorectal cancer; each 50 g eaten daily is linked to an 18% higher risk. Regulatory
  2. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  3. Cultured celery powder (natural nitrite source): Provides nitrite like synthetic curing salts. Regulatory

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

Better pasta sauces

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

The Receipt

Rao's bolognese pasta sauce

START100

Ingredients

  • Bacon
    Regulatory IARC classifies processed meat (cured, salted, smoked or fermented) as Group 1, based on colorectal cancer; each 50 g eaten daily is linked to an 18% higher risk. [1][2]
  • Cultured celery powder (natural nitrite source)
    Regulatory Provides nitrite like synthetic curing salts. [3][4]
  • Natural flavors
    Info "Natural flavor" is a legal category (21 CFR 101.22(a)(3)): flavor substances from spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy or fermentation. [5][6]
subtotal−30

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [6]
subtotal−18

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Saturated fat 1.6 g / 100 g
    Strong Contains some saturated fat. [7]
  • Salt 0.7 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [8]
subtotal−4
TOTAL 48Okay

100 − 52 = 48

Can’t score above 79. Contains bacon, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2]

GTIN 00747479000123 · 2026-07-28

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy88 kcal
Fat6.4 g
Saturated fat1.6 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates4.8 g
Sugars3.2 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber0.8 g
Protein2.4 g
Salt0.7 g

Serving: 0.5 cup (125 g)

Ingredients

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

ITALIAN WHOLE PEELED TOMATOES, ITALIAN STYLE MEATBALL CRUMBLES (BEEF, PORK, ROMANO CHEESE [PASTEURIZED COW'S AND SHEEP'S MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES], WATER, SALT, SOY FLOUR, SPICES, GARLIC, NATURAL FLAVORING, PARSLEY), ONIONS, CARROTS, OLIVE OIL, CELERY, UNCURED PANCETTA CRUMBLES (PORK, SALT, WATER, SPICES, CULTURED CELERY POWDER, SEA SALT, NATURAL FLAVORING - NO NITRITES OR NITRATES ADDED EXCEPT FOR THOSE NATURALLY OCCURRING IN CULTURED CELERY POWDER AND SEA SALT), GARLIC, SALT, CITRIC ACID, BLACK PEPPER, PARSLEY, THYME

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk, Soy, Celery

  • Not vegan
  • Not vegetarian
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest sauces in the US

Sources

  1. IARC Monographs evaluate consumption of red meat and processed meat (Press Release No. 240)

    International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) · Oct 26, 2015 · IARC

    “Processed meat was classified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), based on sufficient evidence in humans that the consumption of processed meat causes colorectal cancer.”

    iarc.who.int

  2. Carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat (IARC Monographs Vol. 114 working group summary)

    The Lancet Oncology · December 2015 · IARC

    doi.org

  3. Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)

    International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) · IARC

    monographs.iarc.who.int

  4. Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2108 of 6 October 2023 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 and the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards food additives nitrites (E 249–250) and nitrates (E 251–252)

    European Union (Official Journal) · Oct 6, 2023 · Law

    “the presence of nitrites and nitrates in foods can give rise to the formation of nitrosamines some of which are carcinogenic.”

    eur-lex.europa.eu

  5. 21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Dec 19, 2016 · Law

    “whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”

    ecfr.gov

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses

    BMJ · Feb 28, 2024 · Peer-reviewed

    “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

  10. Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake

    Cell Metabolism · July 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org