Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce — OKAY

Munch or Dump rates Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce by M&P OKAY — score 62/90.

A genuinely simple jarred sauce built on real tomatoes, onions and olive oil. Two added sugars and refined rapeseed oil keep it from being clean, but there's nothing engineered here.

Why this verdict

• Tomatoes lead at 76% with a short, recognizable ingredient list
• No artificial colors, flavors, emulsifiers or modified starches
• Sugar appears twice (Demerara + plain sugar), nudging it sweeter than it needs to be
• Refined rapeseed oil is cut in alongside the olive oil to cut cost
• Minimally processed (NOVA 3), close to homemade

Ingredients (11)

• Tomatoes (76%) (safe) — The real base of the sauce, whole tomatoes deliver lycopene, potassium and fiber.
• Onions (safe) — Real vegetable.
• Tomato Puree (safe) — Real tomato base, the legitimate heart of the soup.
• Olive oil (4%) (safe) — Good monounsaturated fat, but only a small 4% drizzle.
• rapeseed oil (safe) — A source of healthy fats and often used in cooking.
• demerara sugar (moderate) — The only sweetener, in fourth position — around 3 g per serving.
• Garlic Puree (safe) — Real aromatic.
• Salt (moderate) — Used in moderation, might exceed necessary amount.
• black pepper (safe) — Whole spice seasoning.
• basil (safe) — The real herb and lead ingredient. Whole food.
• Sugar (moderate) — Added for sweetness, can contribute to calorie content.