Why is KITKAT Ball classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The product combines refined sugar, cocoa paste, wheat flour, palm oil and multiple processing steps, which places it in the NOVA-4 ultra-processed category; its additive list includes lecithins (E322) as an emulsifier, sodium carbonates (E500) as a raising agent, arabic gum (E414) and shellac (E904) as glazing agents.

How does the sugar and salt content of KITKAT Ball affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 48.8 g of sugar and 0.7 g of salt per 100 g, the candy can cause rapid blood-glucose spikes and increase blood pressure, making it unsuitable for regular consumption by people managing diabetes or hypertension.

Is the gluten in KITKAT Ball a risk for people with celiac disease?

Yes, the formulation contains wheat flour and wheat gluten, so it is not gluten-free and poses a direct risk for anyone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Nestlé, Kit kat ball, Kitkat • 250 g

KITKAT Ball, Billes au chocolat au Lait, 250g

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

KITKAT Ball, Milk-Chocolate Bites, is a confectionery belonging to the PNNS categories of Sugary snacks and Sweets. It carries a Nutri-Score of E and is classified as a NOVA-4 ultra-processed food, reflecting its high levels of sugars (48.8 g/100 g), saturated fat (15.3 g/100 g) and salt (0.7 g/100 g). While it provides a modest 2.4 g of fiber per 100 g and contains cocoa-derived antioxidants, the product also contains allergens such as milk, lactose, gluten and traces of nuts, and its formulation includes palm oil and several emulsifiers (E322, E500, E414, E904).

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal507 kcal

Fat25 g

Saturated Fat15.3 g

Carbohydrates62.9 g

Sugars48.8 g

Comparative Analysis

Its sugar content of 48.8 g per 100 g is slightly below the sugary-snacks average of 53.44 g, but its saturated fat (15.3 g) and salt (0.7 g) exceed the typical averages of 6.99 g and 0.36 g respectively.

Ingredients

Chocolat au LAIT [sucre, pâte de cacao¹, beurre de cacao¹, LAIT écrémé en poudre, sirop de glucose, PETIT-LAIT en poudre, matière grasse de LAIT anhydre, LACTOSE, émulsifiant (lécithines), arôme naturel de vanille], céréales croustillantes [farine de BLÉ, gluten de BLÉ, sucre, farine de BLÉ maltée, poudre à lever (carbonates de sodium), sel], huile de palme, sucre, LACTOSE, sirop de glucose, émulsifiant (lécithines), agents d'enrobage (gomme arabique, shellac), arôme naturel de vanille. Peut contenir FRUITS À COQUE. ¹Bilan massique certifié Rainforest Alliance. www.ra.org/fr. Pour soutenir une production plus durable du cacao, Nestlé achète une quantité de cacao certifiée Rainforest Alliance équivalente à celle nécessaire pour ce produit.

84%

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