Why is Taste the Difference Mature Cheddar and Onion classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The snack is deemed ultra‑processed because it combines refined potatoes with several industrial ingredients such as sunflower oil, cheese powder, yeast extracts, and flavor enhancers, and it includes the additive paprika extract (E160c) used for colour. These components are typical of NOVA 4 foods, which are formulated from multiple processed substances rather than whole foods.

How does the high sugar and saturated fat content in this snack affect a diabetic or heart‑health diet?

With 15 g of sugar and 37 g of saturated fat per 100 g, the product can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes and raise LDL cholesterol, which may worsen glycaemic control for diabetics and increase cardiovascular risk for those monitoring heart health. Consuming it occasionally and in small portions is advisable for these groups.

Is the mature cheddar cheese powder in this product a concern for people with a milk allergy?

Yes, the mature cheddar cheese powder contains cows' milk, and the ingredient list highlights it in bold as an allergen. Anyone with a documented milk allergy should avoid this snack, as even the powdered form can trigger allergic reactions.

Sainsburys

taste the difference mature cheddar and onion

Salty Snacks

Product Insights

Taste the Difference Mature Cheddar and Onion is a savory snack of potato crisps flavored with mature cheddar cheese and onion, classified in the Salty snacks family. It carries a Nutri‑Score of E and is placed in NOVA 4, reflecting its ultra‑processed nature, with high levels of fat (30 g), saturated fat (37 g), sugars (15 g) and salt (1.32 g per 100 g, 514 kcal). Nevertheless, it provides 9.5 g of protein and 4.1 g of fiber per 100 g and is marked vegetarian despite containing dairy, making it unsuitable for vegans.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal514 kcal

Fat30 g

Saturated Fat37 g

Carbohydrates49.5 g

Sugars15 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average potato‑crisp snack, this product contains about four times more sugar (15 g vs 3.84 g) and seven times more saturated fat (37 g vs 5.11 g), while its salt level (1.32 g) is well below the category average of 52.44 g.

Ingredients

potato, sunflower oil, mature cheddar cheese powder (cows' milk), onion powder, yeast extract powder, buttermilk powder (cows' milk), salt, dried spring onions, sugar, yeast powder, dried parsley, colour: paprika extract. ! allergy advice: for allergens, see ingredients in bold. safety: plastic bags can be dangerous. to avoid danger of suffocation, please keep this bag away from babies and small children. not yet recycled we're sure you'll love this product. try me! if you don't, simply return for a full refund. or, call our careline 0800 636262. your statutory rights are not affected. produced in the uk using british potatoes for sainsbury's supermarkets ltd, london ec1n 2ht. want to find out more? 0 sainsburys.co.uk

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