Why is Salt & Vinegar Houmous Chips classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The chips contain refined flours, maltodextrin, multiple starches, added acids and a flavoring system, all of which are industrially formulated ingredients typical of NOVA 4 foods. The only listed additive is citric acid (E330), used as an acidity regulator.

How does the salt content in this product affect a hypertensive diet?

With 1.08 g of salt per 100 g, the chips contribute a significant amount of sodium to the diet; regular consumption can increase daily sodium intake beyond recommended limits for people with high blood pressure, potentially worsening hypertension.

Based on the ingredients, is this product suitable for vegan, gluten‑free, or keto diets?

The snack is vegan because it contains no animal‑derived ingredients, but it is not gluten‑free due to the presence of gluten in the dried barley malt vinegar. It is also unsuitable for a keto diet because the carbohydrate content is high (56.2 g per 100 g) and includes starches and maltodextrin.

Marks & Spencers

Salt & Vinegar Houmous Chips

Salty Snacks

Product Insights

Salt & Vinegar Houmous Chips are a plant‑based, salt‑and‑vinegar flavored snack classified as a salty snack/appetizer. They carry a Nutri‑Score of C with 21.4 g of fat, 1.08 g of salt, 4.6 g of fiber and 12.6 g of protein per 100 g, but they are an ultra‑processed product (NOVA 4) that includes the additive citric acid (E330). While the chickpea and lentil flours provide protein and fiber, the high fat, moderate salt and presence of gluten from malt vinegar make it unsuitable for low‑fat, low‑salt or gluten‑free diets.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal477 kcal

Fat21.4 g

Saturated Fat2 g

Carbohydrates56.2 g

Sugars2.7 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with average salty snacks, this product has lower sugar (2.7 g vs 3.84 g), slightly lower fat (21.4 g vs 23.61 g) and markedly lower salt (1.08 g vs 52.44 g) per 100 g.

Ingredients

Chickpea Flour (21%) Sunflower Oil Lentil Flour (12%) Potato Starch Cornflour Pea Starch Maltodextrin Sugar Potassium Chloride Salt Natural Flavouring Acid: Citric Acid, Malic Acid Dried Barley Malt Vinegar (contains Gluten) Dried Yeast Extract Dried Green Peppers. . For allergens see ingredients in bold.

84%

35%

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