Good & Gather Tomato, Basil & Garlic Pasta Sauce — OKAY

Munch or Dump rates Good & Gather Tomato, Basil & Garlic Pasta Sauce by Good & Gather OKAY — score 58/90.

Tomatoes lead the list and there is very little added sugar or sodium, which is genuinely better than most jarred sauces. But generic vegetable oil, a touch of sugar, and undefined natural flavor keep it a step below a clean Rao's-style sauce. A serviceable everyday marinara, not a pristine one.

Why this verdict

• Tomato puree and diced tomatoes are the first and dominant ingredients
• Low added sugar (about 1.5g per 100g) and modest sodium
• Generic vegetable oil (cottonseed/canola/soybean) instead of olive oil
• Undefined natural flavor and a small sugar add push it past a purely whole-food sauce

Ingredients (8)

• Tomato puree (water, tomato paste) (safe) — Concentrated tomato for body and color.
• diced tomatoes in tomato juice (safe) — Additional whole-tomato content; a positive sign.
• Vegetable Oil (Cottonseed/Canola/Soybean) (moderate) — Cheap refined seed oil blend. Fine in small amounts but a downgrade from olive oil in a tomato sauce.
• Sugar (moderate) — Small added sweetener to balance acidity; minor at salsa portions.
• Salt (moderate) — Main sodium source; keep an eye on it if you use large amounts.
• Dehydrated Garlic (safe) — Standard dried aromatic.
• citric acid (safe) — Mild acid for tartness and preservation.
• Natural flavor (moderate) — Nonspecific flavoring; the only vague, non-whole ingredient in the jar.

Healthier alternatives

• Rao's Homemade Marinara Sauce, 24 oz
• Good & Gather Organic Marinara Pasta Sauce
• H-E-B Fresh Guacamole - Mild
• Central Market Private Reserve Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Simple Truth Organic Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil