Why is Chicken Margherita with Balsamic classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The meal combines refined pasta, added sugars, flavorings, emulsifiers and modified starches, all of which place it in the ultra‑processed NOVA 4 category. Its label lists the additives E322 (soy lecithin), E322i (a variant of soy lecithin) and E407 (carrageenan) as the main processing aids.

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

With only 2.6 g of sugar and 0.34 g of salt per 100 g, the meal is lower in these nutrients than most frozen entrees, making it more compatible with diabetic and blood‑pressure‑friendly eating plans, though the amounts still count toward daily limits and should be considered in the overall diet.

Is the egg ingredient in this product a concern for people with egg allergy?

Yes, the ingredient list includes egg white and the product is explicitly labeled as containing egg, so anyone allergic to egg should avoid it.

Healthy Choice CAFÉ STEAMERS • 9.5 oz

Chicken Margherita with Balsamic

Composite Foods

Product Insights

Chicken Margherita with Balsamic is a frozen, ready‑made one‑dish meal classified in the Composite foods and One‑dish meals groups. It carries a Nutri‑Score of A and a NOVA rating of 4, offering low levels of fat (2.2 g), saturated fat (0.37 g), sugars (2.6 g) and salt (0.34 g per 100 g, all well below typical frozen‑meal averages. However, the product is ultra‑processed, contains additives such as lecithin (E322) and carrageenan (E407), and includes common allergens (egg, wheat, soy), which may be problematic for sensitive consumers.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal100 kcal

Fat2.2 g

Saturated Fat0.4 g

Trans Fat0 g

Monounsaturated Fat1.3 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with average frozen meals, this product has substantially less fat, saturated fat, sugars and salt while providing slightly lower protein and fiber.

Ingredients

COOKED PASTA (WATER, ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR [DURUM WHEAT SEMOLINA, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE {IRON}, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID], SOYBEAN OIL, EGG WHITE), COOKED CHICKEN (CHICKEN BREAST, WATER, OLIVE OIL, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: ISOLATED SOY PROTEIN PRODUCT [ISOLATED SOY PROTEIN, MODIFIED POTATO STARCH, CORN STARCH, CARRAGEENAN, SOY LECITHIN], DEXTROSE, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, SALT, SODIUM PHOSPHATES, FLAVORING), TOMATOES, WATER, RAISIN JUICE CONCENTRATE, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: GARLIC, BALSAMIC VINEGAR (WINE VINEGAR, CONCENTRATED GRAPE MUST), SUGAR, OLIVE OIL, BASIL, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, ONIONS, GARLIC PUREE, SALT, CHARDONNAY WINE, MOLASSES, CANOLA OIL. CONTAINS: EGG, SOY, WHEAT.

84%

35%

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