Is Del monte, pasta sauce, tomato & basil Kosher?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a packaged food is Kosher, we look for specific red flags: meat derivatives, non-Kosher seafood, or certain bugs used in colorings. Fortunately, the ingredient list for Del Monte Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce is relatively straightforward and free of these major prohibitions.

The base of the sauce is Tomato Puree, which is inherently Kosher. The sweetener used is High Fructose Corn Syrup. While nutritionally debated, from a Kosher perspective, corn syrup is plant-derived and acceptable. The acidity regulator, Citric Acid, is typically derived from fungal fermentation of carbohydrates (like corn or molasses) and is considered Kosher.

Where things get interesting is the Natural Flavors and Yeast Extract. In savory foods like pasta sauce, natural flavors are usually vegetable or herb-based to enhance the umami profile. However, natural flavors can technically contain trace amounts of alcohol or animal derivatives. In the case of mass-market products like Del Monte, these are almost exclusively plant-based to keep the product Pareve (neutral) and suitable for the widest audience. Yeast Extract is a flavor enhancer derived from yeast (fungus), which is perfectly Kosher.

Finally, the Soybean Oil and spices (including Basil, Garlic Powder, and Onion Powder) are all standard Kosher ingredients. There are no hidden dairy ingredients like casein or meat stocks listed, making this a safe choice.

Nutritional Value

While the sauce is Kosher, it is important to look at the nutritional profile. A standard serving contains High Fructose Corn Syrup as the fourth ingredient, which contributes to the sugar content. For those monitoring sugar intake, this is a significant factor.

The sauce is relatively low in fat, relying on a small amount of Soybean Oil for mouthfeel. It is also low in fiber, though it does contain Carrot Fiber for thickening. If you are on a strict low-carb or ketogenic diet, the sugar content might be a concern, but for general use, it fits within standard dietary limits for a pasta sauce.