Why is Spicy Black Bean Burgers classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The burger blends cooked beans, rice, vegetable oils and flours that have been pre‑cooked or refined, and it includes several isolated or functional ingredients such as gum arabic (E414), citric acid (E330) and xanthan gum (E415); these processing steps and additives place it in the NOVA 4 ultra‑processed category.

How does the sugar and salt content of Spicy Black Bean Burgers affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 2.99 g of sugars per 100 g, the burger adds only a small amount of carbohydrate sweetness, which is generally acceptable for diabetes when portion‑controlled, but its 0.82 g of salt exceeds typical daily limits for hypertension and may contribute to elevated blood pressure if consumed frequently.

Is Spicy Black Bean Burgers suitable for strict vegan, gluten‑free, or ketogenic diets?

The product contains egg whites and calcium caseinate (milk) and wheat gluten, so it is not vegan nor gluten‑free; additionally, its 22.4 g of carbohydrates per 100 g makes it unsuitable for a ketogenic regimen.

MorningStar Farms

Spicy Black Bean Burgers

Fruits And Vegetables

Product Insights

Spicy Black Bean Burgers are a frozen, plant‑based burger that falls within the Fruits and vegetables PNNS group. They earn a Nutri‑Score of A and are classified as NOVA 4, indicating they are ultra‑processed despite offering high protein (13.4 g) and fiber (5.97 g) per 100 g. However, the product contains several allergens (egg, milk, soy, gluten), moderate salt (0.82 g), added additives such as E330, E414 and E415, and a relatively high fat content (6.7 g), which temper its overall health profile.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal179 kcal

Fat6.7 g

Saturated Fat0.7 g

Trans Fat0 g

Cholesterol0 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with typical plant‑based burger averages, this product provides more protein (13.4 g vs 3.8 g), more fiber (5.97 g vs 4.11 g) and higher fat (6.7 g vs 1.4 g), while offering lower sugars (2.99 g vs 3.62 g) but higher salt (0.82 g vs 0.73 g) and greater energy (120 kcal vs 83 kcal).

Ingredients

Water, cooked black beans (black beans, water), cooked brown rice (water, brown rice), onions, vegetable oil (corn, canola and/or sunflower oil), corn, soy flour, tomatoes, onion powder, wheat gluten, egg whites, bulgur wheat, green chiles, calcium caseinate (milk), cornstarch. contains 2% or less of spices, tomato powder, tomato juice, salt, garlic powder, natural flavor, soy sauce powder (soybeans, wheat, salt), jalapeno peppers, gum arabic, cooked onion and carrot juice concentrate, citric acid, xanthan gum.

84%

35%

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