Why is M&S chocolate chip cookies classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The cookies are made from refined wheat flour, multiple added sugars, palm oil, dairy powders and several flavourings, which together meet the criteria for ultra‑processed foods; the listed additives are sodium bicarbonate (E500ii), natural flavouring, lecithin (E322i) and natural vanilla flavouring.

How does the high sugar and saturated‑fat content in M&S chocolate chip cookies affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

Each 100 g portion provides about 58 g of sugars, which can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes for diabetics, and 5 g of saturated fat, which may raise LDL cholesterol; combined with the low salt content, the product is not suitable as a regular snack for people managing diabetes or high blood pressure and should be consumed only occasionally.

Is the dairy content in M&S chocolate chip cookies a concern for people with milk allergy or lactose intolerance?

Yes, the formulation includes dried whole milk, skimmed milk powder, butter and lactose, all of which trigger the milk allergen label, making the cookies unsuitable for anyone who must avoid milk or has lactose intolerance.

Marks and Spencers

M&S chocolate chip cookies

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

M&S chocolate chip cookies are sweet biscuit snacks that belong to the Sugary Snacks and Biscuits & Cakes groups. They carry a Nutri‑Score of E and are classified as NOVA 4 ultra‑processed, containing 58.5 g of sugars, 13.1 g of fat (5.0 g saturated) and only 1.6 g of fibre per 100 g, which makes them high in sugar and saturated fat while providing modest protein. The cookies also contain wheat flour and dairy ingredients, so they are not suitable for gluten‑free or milk‑allergy diets.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

low

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy1713 kJ

Saturated Fat5 g

Sugars58.5 g

Fiber1.6 g

Salt0.12 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average sweet biscuit, this cookie contains roughly twice the sugar (58.5 g vs 28.98 g) but lower fat (13.1 g vs 17.6 g), saturated fat (5.0 g vs 7.8 g) and salt (0.12 g vs 1.98 g), while delivering more carbohydrates (73.96 g vs 59.6 g) and slightly less energy.

Ingredients

Sugar · Wheatflour* · Dried Whole Milk · Palm Oil · Cocoa Butter · Soft Brown Sugar · Cocoa Mass · Dried Skimmed Milk · Butter (Milk) · Rapeseed Oil · Black Treacle · Water · Raising Agent: Sodium Bicarbonate · Natural Flavouring · Lecithin · Natural Vanilla Flavouring · Salt.

84%

35%

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