Why is Chili con carne au bœuf classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The product is labeled as ultra-processed because it is a ready‑to‑eat canned meal that includes industrial ingredients and additives such as xanthan gum (E415) for texture, guar gum (E412) as a thickener, and paprika extract (E160c) for color, as well as a natural flavoring. These components go beyond simple cooking and place the product in the NOVA 4 category.

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

The sugar level of 2.4 g per 100 g is below the average for similar meals and is unlikely to cause a major spike in blood glucose, but the salt amount of 0.73 g per 100 g is moderate and can contribute to higher sodium intake, which may be a concern for people managing hypertension.

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

The chili contains cooked beef, so it is not vegan or vegetarian. It includes carbohydrates from beans, corn and peppers, making it unsuitable for a strict keto diet. While no wheat flour is listed, trace gluten is reported, and the product does not carry a halal certification, so it cannot be considered reliably halal or completely gluten‑free.

Raynal et Roquelaure, Zapetti • 400 g e

Chili con carne au bœuf

Composite Foods

Product Insights

Chili con carne au bœuf is a French-style canned beef chili meal produced by Raynal et Roquelaure / Zapetti and sold in 400 g metal cans. It belongs to the Composite foods and One-dish meals groups, carries a Nutri-Score of A, and provides per 100 g modest calories (92 kcal), low fat (2.5 g), low saturated fat (0.8 g), low sugars (2.4 g), moderate salt (0.73 g), 6.5 g protein and 4.5 g fiber. The product is classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and contains several additives such as xanthan gum (E415), guar gum (E412) and paprika extract (E160c), which some consumers may view as a drawback.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal92 kcal

Fat2.5 g

Saturated Fat0.8 g

Carbohydrates8.7 g

Sugars2.4 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average values for similar canned meat meals, this chili contains less fat (2.5 g vs 5.94 g), lower saturated fat (0.8 g vs 1.94 g), considerably less salt (0.73 g vs 3.55 g), slightly lower protein (6.5 g vs 7.16 g) and a lower sugar level (2.4 g vs 3.57 g).

Ingredients

Eau, haricots rouges précuits 34%, viande bovine cuite 10% (origine : France), carottes 4,4%, maïs 3,5%, poivrons 3,5%, concentré de tomate, oignon en poudre, huile de tournesol, sel, épices, ail en poudre, arôme naturel, épaississants : gomme xanthane, gomme guar, colorant : extrait de paprika,

84%

35%

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