# Ortega Chipotle Taco Sauce > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** Ortega - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** International & World Foods - **Size:** 9 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/ortega-chipotle-taco-sauce-9-oz - **Slug:** `ortega-chipotle-taco-sauce-9-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods Contains multiple industrially formulated ingredients (modified corn starch, polysorbate 80, guar/locust bean gums, disodium EDTA, natural flavors, stabilizers and preservatives), indicating it is an ultra-processed ready-to-eat condiment. ## Review Ortega Chipotle Aioli Sauce is a squeezable 9-ounce plastic bottle that brings a smoky, creamy finish to everyday meals. You'd find it in the condiment aisle near salsas, mayonnaise, taco sauces and sandwich spreads, often shelved with other Ortega products and refrigerated or ambient sauces depending on the store. Shoppers reach for it on quick weeknight trips, game-day runs, or when planning a casual weekend brunch — it promises an easy flavor upgrade for tacos, burgers, fries, roasted vegetables, and breakfast sandwiches. Ortega’s brand sits squarely in approachable Tex‑Mex grocery culture: mainstream, family-oriented, and positioned as a convenient way to add a Mexican-style twist without specialty shopping. The label leans on tempting descriptors like “aioli” and “chipotle” and notes familiar ingredients (milk, cream) while also listing “natural flavor” and cultured components; there is no organic certification and no explicit “clean label” claim. From a processing perspective, this is a highly formulated sauce: it combines oils, modified starches, emulsifiers, gums and preservatives to create a stable, ready-to-use product. Sensory notes: spoonable yet squeezable, silky and spreadable with a moderate viscous body, a sweet-smoky chipotle warmth, and a rounded dairy creaminess; a faint molasses sweetness and mild garlic-onion backdrop. The ritual is casual and fast — flip the cap, squeeze over a plate, or dunk fries — designed for convenience and consistent flavor every time. Packaging emphasizes practicality over craft, with an easy-to-handle plastic bottle meant for frequent use and resealing. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian - Gluten-free ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 1 tbsp - **Servings per container:** 16 - **Calories:** 25 - **Total fat:** 1.5g (2% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 0g (0% DV) - **Sodium:** 160mg (7% DV) - **Total carbs:** 2g (1% DV) - **Total sugars:** 1g - **Added sugars:** 1g (2% DV) - **Protein:** 0g ## Ingredients Water, Canola Oil, Milk, Modified Corn Starch, Sugar, Tomato Paste, Cream, Salt, Contains Less than 2% of Dried Chipotle Chili Pepper, Bacterial Cultures, Blackstrap Molasses, Citric Acid, Concentrated Lemon Juice, Cultured Dextrose, Disodium EDTA (Preservative), Garlic Powder, Glucono Delta-Lactone, Guar Gum, Lactic Acid, Locust Bean Gum, Natural Flavor, Onion Powder, Polysorbate 80, Smoke Flavor, Sodium Citrate, Whey. ## Flagged ingredients - **Canola Oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **Polysorbate 80** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **Disodium EDTA** (preservative): Synthetic preservative ## Context tags - **Occasions:** game-day-prep, weekend-brunch, movie-night - **Vibes:** indulgent, convenient, adventurous ## FAQ ### Is Ortega's Chipotle Taco Sauce healthy? Well, that depends on your definition of healthy! At just 25 calories per tablespoon, it’s low in sugar and calories, but it does contain added sugars and preservatives. If you're looking for a low-calorie way to spice up your taco night, it fits the bill, but if you're aiming for a clean, whole-food approach, you might want to use it sparingly. ### Is Ortega's Chipotle Taco Sauce vegan? Nope, this sauce isn't vegan! It contains milk and cream, which are definitely no-goes for a plant-based diet. If you're looking for a vegan taco sauce, keep an eye out for options that specifically say 'dairy-free.' ### Is it gluten-free? Yes, Ortega's Chipotle Taco Sauce is gluten-free! So if you're avoiding gluten, you can add this sauce to your tacos without worry. It’s always a good idea to double-check labels if you have a severe allergy, but you’re in the clear here. ### Does it contain seed oils? Yes, it contains canola oil, which is a seed oil. While canola oil is often criticized for being highly processed, it’s commonly used in sauces for its mild flavor and smooth texture. In moderation, it’s generally considered safe, but if you’re trying to avoid seed oils altogether, you might want to skip this sauce. ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? Nope, Ortega's Chipotle Taco Sauce doesn’t contain any artificial sweeteners! The sweetness comes from added sugar and blackstrap molasses, which gives it a natural flavor without the fake stuff. It’s a nice compromise if you want some sweetness without the guilt of artificial ingredients. ### Is it high in sugar? Not really! With just 1 gram of sugar per tablespoon, it’s considered low in sugar. So if you're watching your sugar intake, this sauce can be a flavorful addition without sending your sugar levels soaring. ### What are healthier alternatives? If you're looking for healthier alternatives, consider making your own taco sauce with fresh tomatoes, spices, and maybe a splash of lime juice. There are also brands out there that focus on organic or whole-food ingredients, which might be more appealing if you're going for a cleaner option. But hey, sometimes convenience wins, and that’s okay too! ### Can kids eat it? Absolutely! Ortega's Chipotle Taco Sauce can be a fun addition to kids' meals, especially if they enjoy a little kick. Just keep in mind that it does have a slight spice from the chipotle, so you might want to test it out first to see how they handle the heat! ### Is it good for weight loss? In moderation, it can be part of a weight-loss-friendly diet! At only 25 calories per tablespoon, it adds flavor without a ton of extra calories. Just be mindful of how much you use, especially since it has added sugars, which can add up if you're not careful. ### Is it ultra-processed? Yes, Ortega's Chipotle Taco Sauce is considered ultra-processed. It contains ingredients like modified corn starch and preservatives, which are common in many packaged foods. While ultra-processed foods aren’t inherently 'bad,' they can be less nutritious than whole foods, so it's all about balance! ## Related products - [Old El Paso Stand N Stuff Taco Shells Mex Street Corn](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/old-el-paso-stand-n-stuff-taco-shells-mex-street-corn-540-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/old-el-paso-stand-n-stuff-taco-shells-mex-street-corn-540-oz - [House of Tsang General TSAO Sauce](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/house-of-tsang-general-tsao-sauce-1260-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/house-of-tsang-general-tsao-sauce-1260-oz - [Salutti Aloe Drink Guava](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/aloevine-salutti-aloe-drink-guava-5070-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/aloevine-salutti-aloe-drink-guava-5070-oz - [Thai Kitchen Instant Rice Noodle Soup, Garlic and Vegetable, Mild](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/thai-kitchen-kitchen-instant-rice-noodle-soup-garlic-and-vegetable-mild-160-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/thai-kitchen-kitchen-instant-rice-noodle-soup-garlic-and-vegetable-mild-160-oz - [Cafe Altura Organic Instant Coffee](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/cafe-altura-organic-instant-coffee-353-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/cafe-altura-organic-instant-coffee-353-oz - [Cj Annie Chun's Soup Mix Savory Broth Vegetable Japanese Style Shy Piece Bowl In Sleeve](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/annie-chuns-cj-soup-mix-savory-broth-vegetable-japanese-style-shy-piece-bowl-in-sleeve-540-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/annie-chuns-cj-soup-mix-savory-broth-vegetable-japanese-style-shy-piece-bowl-in-sleeve-540-oz - [Season Brand Skinless and Boneless Sardines in Water , No Salt Added](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/season-brand-skinless-and-boneless-sardines-in-water-no-salt-added-425-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/season-brand-skinless-and-boneless-sardines-in-water-no-salt-added-425-oz - [Mission Triangles White Corn Tortilla Chips, 11 Ounce Bag](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/mission-triangles-white-corn-tortilla-chips-11-ounce-bag-11-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/mission-triangles-white-corn-tortilla-chips-11-ounce-bag-11-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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