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

Margarine is labeled NOVA 4 because its formulation includes refined vegetable oils, modified palm and palm‑kernel fractions, and several food‑grade additives such as potassium sorbate (E202), citric acid (E330), lactic acid (E270), calcium disodium EDTA (E385), beta carotene (E160a i), vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D3, natural and artificial flavours, and vegetable monoglycerides with soy lecithin. These ingredients are typical of highly processed spreads.

How does the sugar and salt content in this product affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

The margarine contains no sugars, which is favorable for blood‑glucose control in diabetic diets. However, its salt level is 1.6 g per 100 g, far above the average for spreads and well above recommended daily limits, potentially raising blood pressure and posing a risk for hypertension if consumed in large amounts.

Is the whey powder in this margarine a concern for people with a milk allergy?

Yes, the product lists whey powder and buttermilk powder, both derived from milk, as ingredients. This makes the margarine unsuitable for anyone with a cow‑milk allergy, even though the majority of the fat base is plant‑derived.

IMPERIAL

Margarine

Fat And Sauces

Product Insights

Margarine is a plant-based spread that belongs to the Fat and sauces group, specifically classified under Fats. It carries a Nutri-Score of D and is categorized as NOVA 4, indicating a highly processed product with several additives such as potassium sorbate, citric acid, lactic acid, calcium disodium EDTA, beta carotene, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D3, natural and artificial flavours, and vegetable monoglycerides. While it is low in sugars and provides a substantial amount of fat, it is high in saturated fat and salt, and it contains milk-derived whey and buttermilk, making it unsuitable for those with dairy allergies.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

low

Salt

high

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal450 kcal

Fat60 g

Saturated Fat15 g

Carbohydrates0 g

Sugars0 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with typical spreads, this margarine has less total fat (60 g vs 76.6 g) and saturated fat (15 g vs 21.7 g), zero sugar versus 3.6 g average, but considerably more salt (1.6 g vs 0.39 g).

Ingredients

soybean and/or canola and/or vegetable oils 48%, water, modified palm&palm kernel gils 12%, salt, whey powder and/or buttermilk powder 0.5% (milk), vegetable monoglycerides soy lecithin, potassium sorbate, citric acid and/or lactic acid, natural&artificial flavour, calcium disodium edta, beta carotene, vitamin a palmitate (vitamin a), vitamin d3. grédients: huiles de soja et/ou canola et/ou végétales 48 %, eau, iles de palme et de palmiste modifiées 12 %, sel, lactosérum en udre et/ou babeurre en poudre 0,5 % (lait), monoglycérides 0 %etaux, lécithine de soja, sorbate de potassium, acide citrique et/ou tique, arôme naturel et artificiel, edta de calcium disodique, ta-carotene, palmitate de vitamine a (vitamine a), vitamine d3. 3% 0% 0% keep refrigerated garder au réfrigerateur prot 0% 1-866-882-7700 vitam 0% oemark owned or ce ry caloum 5995

84%

35%

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