Why is Macaroni with tomato sauce and beef meatballs classified as NOVA 3 and what additives does it contain?

The meal is labelled NOVA 3 because it is made from processed ingredients such as cooked pasta, canned tomatoes and pre‑cooked meatballs, but it does not contain industrial additives, preservatives, colourings or flavour enhancers. The ingredient list shows only natural components – water, durum wheat semolina, colza oil, beef, egg whites, cheese, honey and spices – confirming the absence of added food‑additive codes.

How do the sugar and salt levels in this meal affect people with diabetes or hypertension?

With 2.8 g of sugars per 100 g, the product provides a modest amount of carbohydrates that fits within most diabetic meal‑planning guidelines when portion‑controlled. The salt content of 0.67 g per 100 g is moderate and considerably lower than the average ready‑meal, making it a reasonable option for those monitoring sodium intake, although individuals with severe hypertension should still limit overall daily consumption.

Is the cheese in this product a concern for individuals with milk allergy?

Yes. The ingredient list includes cheese, which contains dairy proteins and is flagged as a milk allergen. Anyone with a confirmed milk allergy should avoid this meal, and the product also contains eggs and gluten, which may pose additional allergen concerns.

Marie • 280 g

Macaroni sauce tomate et boulettes au bœuf

Composite Foods

Product Insights

The product is a French‑style ready‑to‑heat microwave meal of macaroni, tomato sauce and beef meatballs, marketed under the Marie brand. It belongs to the composite foods and one‑dish meals group, carries a Nutri‑Score of C (score 3) and is classified in NOVA 3, indicating a moderately processed food with no added preservatives, colourings or additives. Nutritionally it provides 154 kcal, 7 g protein and 1.3 g fibre per 100 g while containing 5.7 g fat (1.2 g saturated), 0.67 g salt and allergens including milk, eggs and gluten, which may limit its suitability for certain diets.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal154 kcal

Fat5.7 g

Saturated Fat1.2 g

Carbohydrates18 g

Sugars2.8 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with average ready‑meal values, this macaroni dish is lower in calories (154 kcal vs 175 kcal), salt (0.67 g vs 3.5 g), total fat (5.7 g vs 5.9 g), saturated fat (1.2 g vs 2.0 g) and sugars (2.8 g vs 3.6 g), while its protein and fibre are similar to the category averages.

Ingredients

Macaroni cuits 42,5% (eau, semoule de blé dur, huile de colza), tomates pelées concassées au jus 26,6% (tomates, jus de tomates), boulettes au boeuf 17,1% [préparation de viande de boeuf cuite : viande de boeuf origine France 11,6%, blanc d'oeuf de poule élevées en plein air, eau, chapelure (farine de blé, sel), fond de bœuf (viande et jus de cuisson de viande de bœuf, sel), fécule de pomme de terre, oignons, bouillon de légumes (légumes et jus de cuisson de légumes (carotte, tomates, oignon, ail), huile de tournesol, sel), bouillon de boeuf, sel, huile de tournesol], eau, concentré de tomates 1,8%, huile de colza, tomates semi déshydratées et marinées 1,3% (tomates, huile de colza, sel, origan, ail), fromage, miel, farine de blé, basilic, fond de veau (bouillon de veau, bouillon de boeuf, sel), sel, ail, épices.

84%

35%

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