Why is Couscous poulet et merguez classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The meal includes multiple processed components such as added vegetable oils, starches, dextrose, glucose syrup, natural flavourings and a colourant, all of which require industrial formulation steps; these ingredients and the presence of additives E120 (cochineal red) and an E14xx additive place it in the NOVA 4 ultra‑processed category.

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

With 2 g of sugars per 100 g, the product is low in sugar and unlikely to cause major spikes in blood glucose, while its 0.18 g of salt per 100 g is well under the average for similar meals, making it suitable in moderation for people managing diabetes or hypertension, though portion control remains advisable.

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

Yes, celery is present at about 3 % of the recipe and is listed among the declared allergens, so anyone allergic to celery should avoid this couscous.

La cuisine des Saveurs • 1 kg (3 personnes)

Couscous poulet et merguez

Composite Foods

Product Insights

Couscous poulet et merguez is a ready‑to‑eat, one‑dish meal composed of chicken thigh, merguez sausage, semolina couscous, vegetables and spices. It belongs to the Composite foods / One‑dish meals category, carries a Nutri‑Score of A and is classified as NOVA 4, indicating an ultra‑processed product; it contains allergens (celery, gluten, milk, sulfites) and additives such as the red colour E120 and an unspecified E14xx additive. Nutritionally it is low in fat (≈2 g), saturated fat (0.3 g), sugars (2 g) and salt (0.18 g per 100 g, well below typical category averages, while providing 4 g of protein and a modest amount of fiber, making it relatively balanced despite its processing level.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

low

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal90 kcal

Energy377 kJ

Fat5.6 g

Saturated Fat1 g

Cholesterol0 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average prepared couscous meal, this product contains significantly less fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt while delivering similar protein levels.

Ingredients

Haut de cuisse poulet 34,5% (origine : France), eau, semoule de blé dur 10,6%, merguez 6,6% [viande bovin 4,3% (origine : France), viande d'ovin 0,8% (origine : UE et hors UE), eau, gras de bovin, gras d'ovin, épices (paprika, cumin, fenouil, piment de Cayenne), ail, dextrose, sirop de glucose, sel, colorant : E120, arômes naturels], carotte 5,8%, navet 3,9%, céleri 3,1%, courgette 3,1%, huiles végétales (colza, olive), poivron 1,9%, pois chiche 1,5%, raisin sec 1,5%, double concentré de tomate, oignon, sel, amidon transformé de maïs, dextrose, arômes naturels, sirop de glucose, harissa (piment rouge, ail, coriandre, sel, carvi), épices, graisse de canard, cumin, sucre, paprika, curcuma.

84%

35%

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