Why is Couscous Royal classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The product is a canned, ready‑to‑heat meal that combines several processed ingredients, uses thickeners, flavor enhancers and colorants, and undergoes industrial preservation, which places it in NOVA group 4. Its label lists the additives E120 (cochineal colour), E160c (β‑carotene colour) and E301 (ascorbic acid) along with thickeners such as carob seed flour and guar gum.

How does the salt content in Couscous Royal affect a hypertensive diet?

With 0.9 g of salt per 100 g, Couscous Royal contributes a moderate amount of sodium; regular consumption could add up to about 1.8 g of salt in a typical serving, which may be significant for people managing high blood pressure and should be balanced with low‑salt foods elsewhere in the day.

Is Couscous Royal suitable for vegan or gluten‑free diets?

No. The dish contains chicken, merguez, meatballs and wheat‑based breadcrumbs, providing both animal protein and gluten, and it also lists celery as an allergen, making it unsuitable for vegan or gluten‑free consumers.

Garbit • 1,250 kg

Couscous Royal

Composite Foods

Product Insights

Couscous Royal is a ready‑to‑heat canned one‑dish meal that falls under the composite foods category, combining semolina, chicken, merguez sausage and meatballs with a vegetable garnish. It carries a Nutri‑Score of C and is classified in NOVA group 4, indicating an ultra‑processed product that includes additives such as E120, E160c and E301, as well as allergens celery and gluten. Nutritionally, the serving provides modest calories (124 kcal per 100 g), low fat, saturated fat and sugars, a decent amount of fiber, but its salt level (0.9 g/100 g) is moderate and protein content is slightly below the average for similar meals.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal124 kcal

Fat2.8 g

Saturated Fat0.9 g

Carbohydrates17 g

Sugars1.7 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with average canned meals, Couscous Royal contains less than half the sugar and fat, slightly lower protein, and about one‑quarter less salt.

Ingredients

1 boîte de garniture légumes et viande 1000 g : Bouillon : eau, tomate (pulpe de tomate, jus de tomate, concentré de tomate), sel, épices et aromates (dont céleri), arômes, épaississants: farine de graines de caroube et gomme guar ; Légumes : carottes, courgettes, navets, pois chiches, oignons, poivrons ; morceaux de cuisses de poulet non désossés (17%) ; merguez (6%): viande et gras de dinde, viande et gras de mouton, eau, sel, dextrose, épices et arômes, antioxygène : E301, colorants : E160c, E120 ; boulettes de viande 4,5% (viande et gras de mouton, eau, viande de dinde, chapelure (farine de blé, sel, huile de colza, levure, paprika), oignon, sel, ail, menthe, épice et arômes).1 coupelle de semoule de blé dur précuite à la vapeur : 250 g. 1 sachet d'épices naturelles et aromates moulus.

84%

35%

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