Green pestos
Rana Basil Pesto
7 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- High in saturated fat
- Contains added sugars
- Contains seed oils
Why it scores 39
Rana Basil Pesto scores 39 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Lactose: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 9 points Salt 2.8 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better pesto
-
Vegan Kale, Cashew & Basil Pesto Trader Joe's · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 79 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 , 40 points higher -
Basil pesto 365 Everyday Value · 6.5 oz/185 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 76 out of 100 , 37 points higher -
Basil Pesto Kirkland Signature · 624 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 75 out of 100 , 36 points higher -
Basil Pesto Mezzetta · 6.25 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 73 out of 100 , 34 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Basil Pesto
Ingredients
- Lactose minus 20 points
- Sunflower oil minus 2.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 1.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 10 g / 100 g minus 7 points
- Salt 2.8 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Energy 517 kcal / 100 g minus 3 points
- Protein 8.3 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 61.5 = 38.5 → 39
Can’t score above 79. Contains lactose, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Can’t score above 79. High in fat, saturated fat and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [12]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 517 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 51.7 g |
| Saturated fat | 10 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3.3 g |
| Sugars | 3.3 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 1.7 g |
| Protein | 8.3 g |
| Salt | 2.8 g |
Serving: 0.25 cup (60 g)
Ingredients
- BASIL BLEND (BASIL, SUNFLOWER OIL, SALT)
- SUNFLOWER OIL
- PARMESAN CHEESE (PASTEURIZED CULTURED PART-SKIMMED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES)
- EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
- PECORINO ROMANO CHEESE (SHEEP'S MILK, RENNET, SALT)
- PINE NUTS
- LACTOSE (high concern)
- GARLIC
- DEHYDRATED POTATOES
- NONFAT DRY MILK
- VEGETABLE FIBER
- LACTIC ACID
- NATURAL FLAVOR
- ASCORBIC ACID
- SPICE
Label text, as published
BASIL BLEND (BASIL, SUNFLOWER OIL, SALT), SUNFLOWER OIL, PARMESAN CHEESE (PASTEURIZED CULTURED PART-SKIMMED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES), EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, PECORINO ROMANO CHEESE (SHEEP'S MILK, RENNET, SALT), PINE NUTS, LACTOSE, GARLIC, 2% OR LESS OF DEHYDRATED POTATOES, NONFAT DRY MILK, VEGETABLE FIBER, LACTIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, ASCORBIC ACID, SPICE
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Tree nuts
- Not vegan
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More green pestos on GoodSwap
-
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 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 Rana
Sources
-
Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children
“In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”
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
-
Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
“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
-
“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
-
21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
-
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
-
“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
-
“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
-
“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