Why is dark chocolate peanut butter cups classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

It is considered ultra-processed because it combines refined dark chocolate, added cane sugar, palm oil, peanut flour and other industrial ingredients, and it is manufactured with multiple processing steps. The only additive listed is sunflower lecithin (E322), which acts as an emulsifier.

How does the sugar and salt content in dark chocolate peanut butter cups affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 33 g of added sugar per 100 g, the product can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes, making it unsuitable for tight diabetic control, while the 0.67 g of salt per 100 g contributes to sodium intake and may raise blood pressure, so consumption should be limited for hypertensive individuals.

Based on its ingredients, is dark chocolate peanut butter cups suitable for vegan, gluten‑free or allergen‑restricted diets?

Despite vegan and no‑gluten claims, the product contains dairy (milk), egg traces and wheat, so it is not truly vegan or gluten‑free, and it also lists peanuts, soy and possible tree‑nut cross‑contamination, making it unsuitable for those with related allergies.

UNREAL • 4.2 oz

dark chocolate peanut butter cups

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

The product is a dark chocolate peanut butter cup, classified as a sweet snack and chocolate product aimed at consumers seeking confectionery treats. It carries a Nutri-Score of E and belongs to the ultra-processed NOVA 4 group, with a high saturated-fat (20 g per 100 g), high salt (0.67 g per 100 g) and high overall fat (40 g per 100 g) but a slightly lower added-sugar content (33 g per 100 g) than the average sugary snack. Although marketed with vegan and fair-trade labels, the ingredient list includes milk, eggs and wheat traces, so it is not suitable for strict vegan or gluten-free diets, and the only listed additive is sunflower lecithin (E322).

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal533 kcal

Added Sugars33.3 g

Iron2 mg

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average sugary snack, this cup contains less added sugar (33 g vs 40 g per 100 g) but more total fat (40 g vs 33 g), higher saturated fat (20 g vs 19 g), higher salt (0.67 g vs 0.42 g) and slightly higher calories (533 kcal vs 519 kcal).

Ingredients

Dark chocolate (chocolate liquor, cane sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla), organic peanuts, organic cane sugar, organic palm oil (sustainably sOurced), organic peanut flour, organic blue agave inulin, sea salt, sunflower lecithin. allergen information: contains peanuts. made in a facility that handles tree nuts, eggs, soy, wheat and milk. made on equipment that processes milk chocolate. read our faqs on unrealsnacks.com for further allergen information.

84%

35%

Unlock What Your Food Doesn't Tell You

Scan this and millions of other food products to discover hidden positive & negative points, scores percentage, additives, allergens, and deeper product insights with the free NutrScan app.