Why is Flamin' Hot Crunchy classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and which additives does it contain?

The product combines refined corn meal, multiple refined vegetable oils, cheese, and a blend of flavorings that include maltodextrin, monosodium glutamate (E621), sodium diacetate (E262ii), disodium inosinate and guanylate, citric acid (E330), and artificial colors such as Red 40 Lake and Yellow 5/6, which are hallmarks of ultra‑processed foods, placing it in NOVA 4.

How does the high salt content in Flamin' Hot Crunchy affect people with hypertension?

With about 1.9 g of salt per 100 g, the snack delivers roughly 760 mg of sodium per serving, which can raise blood pressure and counteract dietary sodium limits recommended for hypertensive individuals, so it should be consumed only occasionally.

Is Flamin' Hot Crunchy suitable for gluten‑free, vegan, keto or other specific diets?

The product is labeled gluten‑free but contains milk, cheese and whey, so it is not vegan or dairy‑free; its carbohydrate content (≈ 54 g per 100 g) and added fats make it unsuitable for a strict keto regimen, though it may fit into a low‑sugar, high‑fat diet if sodium intake is closely monitored.

Cheetos • 8.5 oz (240.9 g)

Flamin' Hot Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks

Salty Snacks

Product Insights

Flamin' Hot Crunchy is a salty snack belonging to the Salty snacks group. It carries a Nutri‑Score of E and is classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4), reflecting its extensive use of refined corn meal, vegetable oils, cheese, and multiple flavor enhancers, colorings, and preservatives. While it provides modest protein and fiber, it is high in fat, saturated fat and salt, and contains milk, making it unsuitable for those avoiding dairy or sodium.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

low

Salt

high

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal571 kcal

Iron2.1 mg

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average snack (per 100 g), Flamin' Hot Crunchy contains markedly more fat (39 g vs 23.6 g), slightly higher saturated fat (5.4 g vs 5.1 g), far more salt (1.9 g vs 52.4 g), but virtually no sugars (0 g vs 3.8 g).

Ingredients

ENRICHED CORN MEAL (CORN MEAL, FERROUS SULFATE, NIACIN, THIAMIN MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), VEGETABLE OIL (CORN, CANOLA, AND/OR SUNFLOWER OIL) FLAMIN' HOT SEASONING (MALTODEXTRIN [MADE FROM CORN SALT, SUGAR, MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE, YEAST EXTRACT, CITRIC ACID, ARTIFICIAL COLOR (RED 40 LAKE, YELLOW 6 LAKE, YELLOW 6, YELLOW 5], SUNFLOWER OIL, CHEDDAR CHEESE (MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), ONION POWDER, WHEY, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, GARLIC POWDER, NATURAL FLAVOR BUTTERMILK, SODIUM DIACETATE, DISODIUM INOSINATE DISODIUM GUANYLATE), AND SALT. CONTAINS MILK INGREDIENTS.

84%

35%

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