Why is Ritz Bits Sandwiches Peanut Butter classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The snack includes several industrial ingredients such as hydrogenated vegetable oil, modified palm‑based shortening, and a list of additives like amylase (E1100), papain (E1101), soy lecithin, mono‑calcium phosphate (E341), and sodium bicarbonate (E500ii), all of which are hallmarks of ultra‑processed foods.

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

With 13.8 g of sugar per 100 g, the biscuits can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes in diabetics, while the 1.81 g of salt contributes substantially to daily sodium intake, which may exacerbate hypertension if consumed regularly.

Based on the ingredients, is this product suitable for vegans, gluten‑free, or peanut‑allergic consumers?

The product is marketed as vegan because it contains no animal‑derived ingredients, but it includes wheat flour (gluten), peanuts and soy, so it is not gluten‑free and should be avoided by anyone with a peanut allergy.

christie • 180g

Ritz Bits Sandwiches Peanut Butter

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Ritz Bits Sandwiches Peanut Butter are sweet snack biscuits classified in the Sugary snacks and Biscuits and cakes families. They carry a Nutri-Score of E and fall into NOVA group 4, indicating an ultra‑processed product with high levels of saturated fat, sugar and salt, while providing modest fiber and protein. The snack also contains wheat, peanuts and soy, making it unsuitable for gluten‑free or peanut‑allergic diets despite its vegan label.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

high

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Added Sugars4 g

Fruits & Vegetables22.9 %

Comparative Analysis

Compared with average snack biscuits, this product has significantly lower sugar (13.8 g vs 28.98 g per 100 g) but considerably higher fat (27.6 g vs 17.65 g) and a similar salt level (1.81 g vs 1.98 g).

Ingredients

FARINE DE BLÉ, BEURRE D'ARACHIDE (ARACHIDES, HUILE VÉGÉTALE HYDROGÉNÉE, SEL, HUILE D'ARACHIDE), SHORTENING (VÉGÉTAL, PALME MODIFIÉE), SUCRE, DEXTROSE, SEL, BICARBONATE DE SODIUM, PHOSPHATE MONOCALCIQUE, HYDROGENOCARBONATE D'AMMONIUM, LECITHINE DE SOJA, PAPAINE, AMYLASE, PROTÉASE CONTIENT : BLE, ARACHIDES, SOJA.

84%

35%