Is it ultra-processed?
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Is Cucina Matese Basil Pesto ultra-processed?

290g Green pestos Sold in Australia

Pack of Cucina Matese Basil Pesto

Yes, it's ultra-processed

  1. 1 Unprocessed
  2. 2 Kitchen staple
  3. 3 Processed
  4. 4 Ultra-processed

Signs of ultra-processing in its ingredients:

  • 27 ingredients
  • No additives
  • Nutri-Score D

Less processed green pestos

Less processed isn't automatically healthier, so compare the labels for what matters to you, such as sugar or salt.

Ingredients

Ultra-processing Processing signs are highlighted

Basil 45%, Sunflower Seed Oil, Rehydrated Potato Flakes Cashew Nuts, Hard Cheese 2.3% (Milk, Salt, Rennet), Salt, Sugar, Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese 1% (Milk, Salt, Rennet"), Pecorino Romano Cheese 1% (Milk, Salt, Rennet"), Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Pine Nuts, Acidity Regulator (Lactic 35.99 Acid), Garlic, Natural Flavouring (Milk), Potato Proteins, Spices, "Animal derived

As written on the pack

Basil (45%), Sunflower Seed Oil, Rehydrated Potato Flakes Cashew Nuts, Hard Cheese (2.3%) (Milk, Salt, Rennet), Salt, Sugar, Parmigiano Reggiano PDO Cheese (1.0%) (Milk, Salt, Rennet"), Pecorino Romano PDO Cheese (1.0%) (Milk, Salt, Rennet"), Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Pine Nuts, Acidity Regulator (Lactic 35.99 Acid), Garlic, Natural Flavouring (Milk), Potato Proteins, Spices. "Animal derived.

What makes it ultra-processed

Cosmetic additives

Added to change how the food looks, feels or tastes, not to keep it safe. A hallmark of ultra-processed food.

  • Flavouring Flavourings are concentrated aroma preparations that add or intensify a taste.
4 ingredients that would only make it processed

Kitchen staples like sugar, salt and oil. On their own they make a food processed, not ultra-processed.

  • Salt Salt, added for taste and preservation.
  • Sugar Sugar refined from sugar cane or beet.
  • Vegetable oil Vegetable oils are pressed or extracted from seeds, nuts and fruits.
  • Cheese Cheese is milk preserved with salt, cultures and rennet.

How the NOVA groups work

Among 79 green pestos

From least to most processed, this one ranks 43rd. 49% of the green pestos here are ultra-processed.

Ranked by NOVA group, then by the number of ultra-processing signs, additives and ingredients. Our ordering, not part of NOVA.

All 79 green pestos, least processed first

About this information

  • Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 9310645358130, last edited 24 February 2026), available under the Open Database License. If something is wrong or the recipe has changed, you can correct it there.
  • Photo: Open Food Facts contributors, CC BY-SA 3.0.
  • The NOVA group is an automated estimate from crowdsourced data: a missing or mistyped ingredient can change it.
  • NOVA measures processing, not nutrition. For nutrition, Open Food Facts gives this product a Nutri-Score of D (from A, best, to E).
  • General information, not medical or dietary advice. Check the pack if you have an allergy.