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

It receives a NOVA 4 rating because the formulation relies heavily on industrial ingredients such as refined sugar, butter, wheat flour, cocoa products and numerous food‑technology additives; the label lists E322 (lecithins), E322i, E422 (vegetable glycerine), E450 (diphosphates), E450i, E471 (mono‑ and diglycerides), E500/E500ii (sodium bicarbonate) among others.

How does the sugar content in this product affect a diabetic diet?

With 35.5 g of sugar per 100 g, the cake can cause a rapid rise in blood glucose levels, so people with diabetes should limit portion size or choose lower‑sugar alternatives to maintain glycemic control.

Is the presence of palm oil in this product a sustainability concern?

Palm oil is linked to deforestation and habitat loss; its inclusion in the cake contributes to a higher environmental impact, especially when the source is not certified as sustainable.

Sainsbury's

Belgian Chocolate Cake

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Belgian Chocolate Cake is a sweet snack from Sainsbury's that falls into the Sugary snacks and Biscuits & cakes groups, featuring a rich chocolate buttercream, wheat flour, egg and dairy ingredients. It carries a Nutri-Score of E and is classified as NOVA 4, with 35.5 g of sugars, 20 g of fat (including 7.5 g saturated fat), 0.5 g of salt and 418 kcal per 100 g, making it high in sugar and energy but relatively low in salt. The cake contains common allergens such as milk, egg, wheat and soy, includes palm oil and several additives (E322, E322i, E422, E450, E450i, E471, E500, E500ii), and provides only 1.7 g of fiber per 100 g.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal418 kcal

Fat20 g

Saturated Fat7.5 g

Monounsaturated Fat6.7 g

Polyunsaturated Fat2.3 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average sugary snack, this cake has higher sugar (35.5 g vs 28.98 g) and fat (20 g vs 17.65 g) but lower salt (0.5 g vs 1.98 g) while delivering a similar calorie level.

Ingredients

Belgian Chocolate Buttercream (33%) (Sugar, Butter (Cows' Milk), Salted Butter (Butter (Cows' Milk), Salt), Belgian Dark Chocolate (7%) (Cocoa Mass, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Emulsifier: Soya Lecithin; Flavouring), Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder, Dried Glucose Syrup), Sugar, Fortified Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Pasteurised Egg, Rapeseed Oil, Golden Syrup, Cows' Milk, 20g Humectant: Vegetable Glycerine; Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder, Palm Oil, Raising Agents: Sodium Bicarbonate, Disodium Diphosphate; Palm Stearin, Emulsifier: Mono - and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids; Salt. adult RI 8400 2000 70g 5% 7% ult (8400kJ/

84%

35%

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