Why is Peanut butter cups classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The product is labeled as NOVA 4 because it combines multiple refined ingredients such as sugar, cocoa butter, skimmed milk powder and peanut butter, and it includes additives like the emulsifier E476 (soya thyelpolyglycerolpolyricinoleate) and the acidity regulator citric acid (E330), both of which are typical of highly processed foods.

How does the sugar and salt content in these Peanut butter cups affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 51.1 g of sugar per 100 g, the cups can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes, making them unsuitable for uncontrolled diabetes, while the 0.88 g of salt contributes to higher sodium intake, which may aggravate hypertension; therefore they should be limited or avoided by individuals managing these conditions.

Is the peanut butter in Peanut butter cups a concern for people with peanut allergies?

Yes, the product contains peanut butter and whole peanuts, which are clearly declared as allergens on the label, so anyone with a peanut allergy should avoid consuming these cups.

Reese's • 42.5

Peanut butter cups

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Reese's Peanut butter cups are a sweet snack consisting of a chocolate-flavour coating that makes up about 52% of the product and a peanut butter filling that accounts for roughly 48%. Nutritionally they are high in sugar (51.1 g), fat (29.2 g) and saturated fat (10.5 g) per 100 g, contain moderate salt (0.88 g), provide 10.9 g of protein and deliver 509 kcal, earning a Nutri‑Score of E and being classified as a NOVA 4 ultra‑processed sugary snack/sweets. The product lists milk, peanuts and soy as allergens, making it unsuitable for those with related sensitivities and best enjoyed only occasionally as an indulgent treat.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal509 kcal

Fat29.2 g

Saturated Fat10.5 g

Carbohydrates52.8 g

Sugars51.1 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average sweet snack, these Peanut butter cups have similar sugar levels but far more fat (29.2 g vs 10.5 g), saturated fat (10.5 g vs 7 g) and salt (0.88 g vs 0.36 g), resulting in a higher energy content.

Ingredients

CHOCOLATE FLAVOUR COATING (52%) [SUGAR*; COCOA BUTTER; COCOA MASS; SKIMMED MILK POWDER; MILK FAT; LACTOSE (MILK); EMULSIFIERS, SOYA THYELPOLYGLYEROLPOLYRICINOLEATE (E476)); PEANUT BUTTER (48%) [PEANUTS; SUGAR*; DEXTROSE; SALT; ACIDITY REGULATOR, CITRIC ACID (E330); ANTIOXIDANT, ERODUCEROM GENETICALLY MODIFIED SUGAR BEETS AND SOYA BEANS.

84%

35%

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