Why is Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what additives does it contain?

The product combines a base of puffed whole‑grain brown rice with a coating of Belgian dark chocolate that includes sugar, cocoa mass, cocoa butter and an emulsifier blend of soy lecithin and vanilla flavouring, which are typical ingredients of ultra‑processed foods, placing it in NOVA 4.

How does the high sugar and saturated‑fat content in Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes affect people with diabetes or heart‑related conditions?

With 21.8 g of sugars and 12.35 g of saturated fat per 100 g, the snack can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes and raise LDL cholesterol, making it unsuitable for regular consumption by individuals managing diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular risk.

Is Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes suitable for a vegan diet?

No. Although the rice component is plant‑based, the chocolate coating is produced on equipment that also handles milk and the packaging states it is not suitable for milk‑allergy sufferers, indicating the presence of dairy‑derived ingredients, which disqualifies it from a vegan diet.

M&S Food • 102 g

Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes

Cereals And Potatoes

Product Insights

Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes are plant‑based puffed rice snacks coated with Belgian dark chocolate, sold by M&S Food. They belong to the cereals dietary family, carry a Nutri‑Score of E and are classified as NOVA 4 ultra‑processed, providing around 21.2 g fat, 12.35 g saturated fat, 21.8 g sugars and 5.3 g fiber per 100 g, with low protein and low salt. While they add whole‑grain brown rice and some fiber, the high added sugars, saturated fat and the presence of dairy‑related processing make them less suitable for health‑focused or allergen‑restricted diets.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

low

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal476 kcal

Comparative Analysis

The snack contains about 21.8 g of sugars and 21.2 g of fat per 100 g, which is more than double the typical 9 g sugars and roughly three times the 6.94 g fat found in the average puffed‑cereal product, while its saturated fat (12.35 g) is well below the unusually high category average of 165.82 g.

Ingredients

Belgian Dark Chocolate (60%) (Sugar Cocoa Mass Cocoa Butter - Emulsifier: Soya Lecithin Vanilla Flavouring) - Wholegrain Brown Rice. For allergens see ingredients in bold. Not suitable for Milk allergy sufferers due to manufacturing methods. Suitable for vegetarians STORAGE For Best Before, see front of pack. Store in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight. Once opened, store in an airtight container. NUT Typ Val En Fa Ο d Z C O Fi P S INGREDIENTS Chocolat noir belge (60%) (Sucre F6 galettes de riz complet enrobées de cho Riz complet. Pour les allergènes, voir les méthodes de fabrio

84%

35%

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