Why is M&S Milk Chocolate Cookies classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The cookies are labeled NOVA 4 because they are made from refined ingredients such as wheat flour, palm oil, cocoa butter and multiple added sugars, and they include several food additives: lecithin (E322), sodium bicarbonate (E500), natural flavourings and natural vanilla flavouring, all of which are typical of ultra‑processed products.

How does the high sugar and saturated fat content in M&S Milk Chocolate Cookies affect people with diabetes or high blood pressure?

The 42 g of sugar per 100 g can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes, challenging blood‑sugar control for diabetics, while the 13 g of saturated fat may raise LDL cholesterol, which can worsen hypertension and cardiovascular risk if consumed regularly.

Is the milk ingredient in M&S Milk Chocolate Cookies a concern for people with dairy allergies?

Yes, the product contains dried whole milk, dried skimmed milk and butter, all of which are listed as milk allergens, so anyone with a dairy allergy should avoid these cookies.

Marks & Spencer Chocolate Cookies

M&S Milk Chocolate Cookies

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

M&S Milk Chocolate Cookies are a sweet snack classified as a chocolate biscuit within the sugary snacks and biscuits and cakes families. They carry a NOVA 4 ultra‑processed label and have no Nutri‑Score assigned, with high levels of sugar (42 g), fat (24.5 g) and saturated fat (13 g) per 100 g, but low salt and modest protein. While they provide quick energy, the high sugar and fat content and the presence of milk and wheat gluten make them unsuitable for low‑sugar, low‑fat or allergen‑free diets.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

low

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal487 kcal

Fat24.5 g

Saturated Fat13 g

Carbohydrates59.6 g

Sugars42 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average snack biscuit, these cookies contain markedly more sugar (42 g vs 29 g), fat (24.5 g vs 17.6 g) and saturated fat (13 g vs 7.8 g), while offering lower salt and similar carbohydrates.

Ingredients

Sugar · Wheatflour* · Dried Whole Milk · Palm Oil · Cocoa Butter · Soft Brown Sugar · Cocoa Mass · Dried Skimmed Milk · Butter (Milk) · Rapeseed Oil · Black Treacle · Water · Raising Agent: Sodium Bicarbonate · Natural Flavouring · Lecithin · Natural Vanilla Flavouring · Salt.

84%

35%

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