Why is Kisses Cookies 'n' Creme classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The snack is made from refined sugar, vegetable oils, corn syrup, enriched wheat flour and multiple processed ingredients, which places it in NOVA group 4. Its label lists additives such as PGPG (E476) as an emulsifier, lecithin (soy) for texture, and a blend of natural and artificial flavors, all typical of ultra‑processed foods.

How do the sugar and salt levels in this product affect diabetic or hypertensive diets?

With 48 g of sugar per 100 g, the snack can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes, making it unsuitable for tight diabetic control. The 0.6 g of salt exceeds typical low‑sodium recommendations and may contribute to elevated blood pressure, so it should be limited or avoided in hypertensive diets.

Is Kisses Cookies 'n' Creme compatible with common dietary restrictions such as vegan, gluten‑free, or keto?

No, the product contains milk, whey, lactose, soy lecithin and wheat flour, so it is not vegan, not gluten‑free, and its high carbohydrate (65 g) and sugar content make it unsuitable for a keto regimen.

Hershey's Kisses • 10 oz (283 g)

kisses cookies 'n' creme

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Kisses Cookies 'n' Creme is a sweet, chocolate‑covered cookie snack from Hershey's Kisses, classified in the Sugary snacks group. It carries a Nutri‑Score of E and falls into NOVA group 4, reflecting its ultra‑processed nature and a formulation high in sugars (48 g), fats (27.6 g) and saturated fats (17.2 g) with modest protein (6.9 g) and no fiber. The product also contains common allergens such as milk, soy and wheat and includes several additives like PGPR, lecithin and artificial flavors.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal517 kcal

Fat27.6 g

Saturated Fat17.2 g

Carbohydrates65.5 g

Sugars48.3 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average sugary snack, this product contains slightly less sugar (48.3 g vs 53.4 g per 100 g) but markedly more fat (27.6 g vs 10.5 g), saturated fat (17.2 g vs 7.0 g) and salt (0.60 g vs 0.36 g).

Ingredients

SUGAR, VEGETABLE OIL (PALM OIL, SHEA OIL, SUNFLOWER OIL, PALM KERNEL OIL, &/OR SAFFLOWER OIL), SKIM MILK, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (FLOUR, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMIN MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID) LACTOSE (MILK), CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, WHEY (MILK), LECITHIN (SOY), HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CHOCOLATE, BAKING SODA, SALT, PGPR, NATURAL & ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR. D CONTAINS: MILK, WHEAT, SOY. Questions or comments? smartlabel® CAN HERE OR CALL - 800-468-1714 FOR E FOOD INFORMATION.

84%

35%

Unlock What Your Food Doesn't Tell You

Scan this and millions of other food products to discover hidden positive & negative points, scores percentage, additives, allergens, and deeper product insights with the free NutrScan app.