Why is Frites aux trois légumes classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

It falls into NOVA group 4 because the formulation relies on industrial processing and includes multiple food‑industry additives. The label lists diphosphates of sodium (E450i) and sodium carbonates (E500) as raising agents, methylcellulose (E461) and xanthan gum (E415) as thickeners, dextrin (E1400) as a filler, curcumin (E100) and paprika extract (E160c) as colourants, all of which are typical of ultra‑processed foods.

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

Each 100 g serving provides 6.5 g of sugars, which can raise blood glucose levels and should be counted toward daily carbohydrate limits for diabetics. The salt content is extremely low at 0.44 mg per 100 g, so it does not pose a significant risk for hypertension, making the product more suitable for low‑sodium dietary needs.

Is this product suitable for a vegan diet and does it contain any common allergens?

All listed ingredients are plant‑based, so the fries are fully vegan. They contain no animal products, dairy, nuts, soy, or gluten‑containing grains; the starches are from rice and corn, which are naturally gluten‑free, making the product unlikely to trigger common food allergies.

Picard • 500 g e

Frites aux trois légumes

Cereals And Potatoes

Product Insights

The product is a frozen ready‑to‑cook “three‑vegetable fries” marketed by Picard, belonging to the “Cereals and potatoes” family, specifically potatoes, and produced in France. It carries a Nutri‑Score of A and is classified in NOVA group 4, indicating an ultra‑processed food that includes several additives such as diphosphates, sodium carbonates, methylcellulose, xanthan gum, curcumin and paprika extract. Nutritionally, it offers low salt and modest energy (127 kcal/100 g) with a high fiber content (4.5 g) but contains a relatively high sugar level (6.5 g) and limited protein (1.6 g), making it a calorie‑light but not protein‑rich side dish.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

moderate

Salt

low

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal127 kcal

Fat6.4 g

Saturated Fat0.6 g

Carbohydrates14 g

Sugars6.5 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average French frozen fries (average 2.1 g sugar, 6.3 g fat, 1.6 g saturated fat, 3.1 g salt, 198 kcal, 2.6 g fiber, 31.5 g carbs, 3.8 g protein per 100 g), this product has markedly higher sugar (6.5 g), slightly more total fat, much lower saturated fat and salt, lower energy and carbs, and twice the fiber but less protein.

Ingredients

Carotte 29%, panais 28,5%, betterave rouge 28,5%, huile de tournesol, farine de riz, amidon transformé de pomme de terre, dextrine, farine de mais, sel, poudres à lever (diphosphates et carbonates de sodium), épaississants (méthylcellulose, gomme de xanthane), colorants (extrait de paprika, curcumine),

84%

35%

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