Dr. Oetker Pesto Italian Sauce
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Dr. Oetker Pesto Italian Sauce is a basil-based culinary sauce for stirring through pasta or spreading on bread. It scores EA4: nutrition is low because it is mostly oil with little fibre or protein credit, ingredients are strong because basil leads and the list is short, and risk is high because of the salt. Best used in small spoonfuls, not as a generous coating.
Ingredients, decoded
13 listed- Basil Leaves (31%)
- Refined Soyabean Oil
- Cashew Nuts
- Parmesan Cheese
- Olive Oil
- Lemon Juice
- Olives
- Garlic
- Iodised Salt
- Sugar
- Antioxidants (INS300, INS319)
- Acidity Regulator (INS330)
- Preservatives (INS211, INS202)
½ teaspoon of sugar in every 100 g · 2.5 g total sugar, 5 g a teaspoon
| Energy | 319 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5.9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 9.1 g |
| Total sugars | 2.5 g |
| Added sugars | 1.8 g |
| Total fat | 28.8 g |
| Saturated fat | 6 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 4 mg |
| Sodium | 1330.6 mg |
Think this score is wrong?
What to know about Dr. Oetker Pesto Italian Sauce
Basil-led pesto with 599 mg sodium a serve
Dr. Oetker Pesto Italian Sauce is a 190 g jar of pesto built on basil leaves (31%), refined soyabean oil, cashew nuts, parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, olives and garlic, finished with iodised salt, sugar and a set of antioxidants, an acidity regulator and two preservatives. It is bought as a quick pasta sauce. The pack says it contains milk and nut.
A 45 g serve, about four from the jar, gives 143.6 kcal, 2.7 g protein, 13.0 g fat and 2.7 g saturated fat. Per 100 g the sauce has 319 kcal and 28.8 g fat, so most of the energy is oil. The cost is sodium: 1,330.6 mg per 100 g, which is 598.8 mg in one serve. Added sugar is low at 1.8 g per 100 g.
The name promises Italian basil, and basil is the first ingredient at 31%, so the main promise is met. The oil is mostly refined soyabean oil, with olive oil further down, and TBHQ (INS 319) is one of the antioxidants. CleanPlate scores it EA4.
Why Dr. Oetker Pesto Italian Sauce scores EA4
Nutrition is an E because protein is modest and no fibre is declared. Ingredients are an A with basil leading, and risk is a 4 on 1,330.6 mg sodium per 100 g.
Very low nutrient density
- Protein
- 5.9 g
- Fibre
- Not declared
- Vitamins and minerals
- None declared
- Energy
- 319 kcal
01 Nutrition density: why E
Protein is 5.9 g per 100 g, and the largest share comes from cashew nuts. Energy is 319 kcal per 100 g, almost all from 28.8 g of fat, so the sauce has little to offset it.
No fibre, vitamins or minerals are declared, so nothing adds to the nutrition grade beyond that modest protein.
Scored on protein, fibre and twelve vitamins and minerals, against the Codex and FSSAI "source" and "high" levels, per 100 g and per 100 kcal. Protein also has to supply at least 12.5% of the calories to count, and 25% for full credit.
Clean, minimally processed
- Base
- Basil Leaves
- Main fat
- Refined Soyabean Oil
- Sweeteners
- Sugar
- Additives
- 5
- Flagged
- TBHQ, Sodium Benzoate
02 Ingredient integrity: why A
Basil leaves lead at 31%, followed by oil, cashew nuts, parmesan, olive oil, lemon juice, olives and garlic. The list is short and mostly recognisable, with no hydrogenated fat and no dyes, and the label makes no promise that the contents fail to meet.
TBHQ (INS 319) costs ingredient points. Sodium benzoate (211), potassium sorbate (202), ascorbic acid (300) and citric acid (330) are listed but cost none.
Scored on how processed the ingredients are, which additives are used and why, and whether the label keeps its promises.
High risk
- Added sugar
- 1.8 g
- Sodium
- 1330.6 mg
- Saturated fat
- 6 g
- Trans fat
- 0 g
03 Load risk: why 4
Sodium is the main driver at 1,330.6 mg per 100 g, and it accounts for most of the risk number. One 45 g serve has 598.8 mg.
Saturated fat adds to it at 6.0 g per 100 g, just above the 5 g high line, or 2.7 g per serve. Energy adds a little. Added sugar is 1.8 g per 100 g and trans fat is 0 g, so neither moves the grade much.
Scored on free sugar, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat, each weighed by how strong the evidence of harm is.
Red flags
- −Red flag: High sodium (1330.6mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (6g)
- −Red flag: Contains TBHQ
- −Red flag: Contains Sodium Benzoate
Green flags
Nothing stands out in its favour.
Does Dr. Oetker Pesto Italian Sauce live up to its claims?
The basil claim holds: basil leaves are the first ingredient at 31%. The Italian wording describes the style, since the list gives no origin for the basil.
- Product nameHolds
“Pesto Italian Basil”
Basil leaves are the first ingredient at 31%, ahead of the oil, cashew nuts and parmesan.
- On the packBe careful
“Italian Basil”
The ingredient list does not say where the basil is grown, so Italian describes the style of the sauce, not a stated origin.
What's in Dr. Oetker Pesto Italian Sauce?
Basil, refined soyabean oil, cashew nuts and parmesan lead a short list. The salt and the TBHQ antioxidant are what to watch.
The ingredient list, read for you
Basil leaves (31%) lead, then refined soyabean oil as the main oil, with cashew nuts and parmesan cheese giving body and richness. Olive oil, lemon juice, olives and garlic add flavour and sharpness. Iodised salt and sugar season it.
The last three entries are additives: antioxidants (INS 300, 319) to protect the oil, an acidity regulator (INS 330), and preservatives (INS 211, 202) to keep the jar stable. The pack says it contains milk and nut.
Ingredients to watch
- SodiumConcern
1,330.6 mg per 100 g, and 598.8 mg in a 45 g serve, nearly a third of a day's limit. It is the main reason risk is a 4.
- TBHQ (INS 319)Worth watching
One of the antioxidants protecting the oil. It costs ingredient points, while the other antioxidant, ascorbic acid (300), does not.
- Saturated fatWorth watching
6.0 g per 100 g, just above the 5 g high line, and 2.7 g per serve.
- Preservatives (INS 211, 202)Worth watching
Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate keep the jar stable. They cost no ingredient points but are worth knowing about.
- BasilFine
31% of the sauce and the first ingredient, with olive oil and lemon juice also in the list.
What it doesn’t have
- No fibre, vitamins or minerals are declared on the panel.
Who should eat Dr. Oetker Pesto Italian Sauce?
An occasional sauce for most adults and children, and rarely for anyone watching blood pressure, since one 45 g serve has 598.8 mg sodium.
- Most adultsOccasionally
One 45 g serve has 598.8 mg sodium and 143.6 kcal.
- ChildrenOccasionally
Salt-heavy for a small body, with preservatives and little fibre.
- High blood pressureRarely
1,330.6 mg sodium per 100 g is the main weak point.
- Weight managementOccasionally
143.6 kcal per serve, nearly all from oil, so keep the spoonful small.
Recipes with Dr. Oetker Pesto Italian Sauce
Use pesto in small amounts and let pasta, vegetables and pulses carry the plate, so the 598.8 mg sodium per 45 g serve is not doubled up.
Pesto pasta with extra vegetables
Toss a spoonful or two through pasta with cherry tomatoes and spinach, so one 45 g serve of sauce, at 598.8 mg sodium, covers more plates.
Pesto sandwich
Spread a thin layer on bread with sliced cucumber and tomato, using less than a full serve to keep the 13.0 g of fat down.
Pesto roast vegetables
Stir a little through roast potatoes or paneer cubes after cooking, and skip extra salt, since the sauce already has 1,330.6 mg sodium per 100 g.
Dr. Oetker Pesto Italian Sauce: common questions
What is the CleanPlate score of Dr. Oetker Pesto Italian Sauce?
Dr. Oetker Pesto Italian Sauce is a basil-based culinary sauce for stirring through pasta or spreading on bread. It scores EA4: nutrition is low because it is mostly oil with little fibre or protein credit, ingredients are strong because basil leads and the list is short, and risk is high because of the salt. Best used in small spoonfuls, not as a generous coating. Nutrition E, ingredients A, load risk 4; nutrition and ingredients run A to E, risk runs 1 to 5, and A and 1 are best.
How many calories and how much protein are in Dr. Oetker Pesto Italian Sauce?
Per 100 g, Dr. Oetker Pesto Italian Sauce has 319 kcal, 5.9 g protein, 9.1 g carbohydrate, 28.8 g fat and 6 g saturated fat. One serve (45 g serve, about 4 per jar) has 144 kcal and 2.7 g protein.
What are the ingredients in Dr. Oetker Pesto Italian Sauce?
13 ingredients, in label order: Basil Leaves (31%), Refined Soyabean Oil, Cashew Nuts, Parmesan Cheese, Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Olives, Garlic, Iodised Salt, Sugar, Antioxidants (INS300, INS319), Acidity Regulator (INS330), Preservatives (INS211, INS202). Flagged: TBHQ (low concern), Sodium Benzoate (low concern).
Does Dr. Oetker Pesto Italian Sauce live up to its claims?
2 claims checked: 1 holds, 1 needs care. "Italian Basil" needs care: The ingredient list does not say where the basil is grown, so Italian describes the style of the sauce, not a stated origin.
Who should limit Dr. Oetker Pesto Italian Sauce?
Most adults: occasionally. One 45 g serve has 598.8 mg sodium and 143.6 kcal. Children: occasionally. Salt-heavy for a small body, with preservatives and little fibre. High blood pressure: rarely. 1,330.6 mg sodium per 100 g is the main weak point.
How much sugar, salt and saturated fat does Dr. Oetker Pesto Italian Sauce have?
Per 100 g, Dr. Oetker Pesto Italian Sauce has 1.8 g added sugar, 1331 mg sodium (about 3.3 g salt) and 6 g saturated fat. The FSSAI and UK FSA "high" lines are 10 g added sugar, 600 mg sodium and 5 g saturated fat per 100 g. It is high in salt and saturated fat.
Last reviewed October 24, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label. Spotted a mistake? .
