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

Skittles is made from refined sugar, glucose syrup, palm fat and a blend of flavorings and stabilizers, which are typical of industrially formulated foods; it lists eleven additives such as E100, E132, E133, E1400, E160a, E162, E163, E70, citric acid (E330), malic acid (E296), and carnauba wax (E903).

How does the sugar content in Skittles affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 33 g of sugar per 100 g, Skittles can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes, making it unsuitable for tight diabetic control, while its negligible salt means it does not directly worsen hypertension, but the high sugar still contributes to overall cardiovascular risk.

Is Skittles suitable for vegan, gluten‑free or other strict diets?

The candy is labeled vegetarian and contains no animal‑derived ingredients, but it includes palm oil and may involve animal‑based processing, so it is not officially vegan; it also carries a gluten trace allergen, meaning it is not gluten‑free.

Rivercote • 185 g

Sea Salt Crackers

Salty Snacks

Product Insights

Skittles is a vegetarian, sugar‑based candy marketed as a Christmas sweet snack, belonging to the "Sugary snacks" group. It is classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and carries no Nutri‑Score label; its 100 g portion provides 179 kcal, 40 g carbohydrates (33 g sugars) with low fat and no salt, but the high sugar load and presence of multiple additives (including palm fat and various E‑numbers) are nutritional drawbacks. The product contains gluten as a trace allergen and uses palm oil linked to threatened species, while its packaging combines recyclable cardboard with a non‑recyclable film.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal500 kcal

Fat24.8 g

Saturated Fat2.2 g

Carbohydrates60.6 g

Sugars2.5 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average sweet‑snack, this Skittles candy contains roughly 40 % less sugar, 80 % less fat and virtually no salt, delivering 179 kcal per 100 g versus the category average of 373 kcal.

Ingredients

Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Sunflower Oil, 1.5% Sea Salt, Yeast Powder (contains Wheat and Barley), Sugar, White Rice Flour, Sugar Cane Syrup, Natural Flavouring, Yeast.

84%

35%

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185 g