Why is Mini caramel classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and which additives does it contain?

The bar combines multiple processed components such as re‑hydrated skimmed milk, caramel sauces, chocolate coatings and emulsifiers, which places it in NOVA group 4. Its additive list includes E322 (lecithin), E322i (lecithin variant), E412 (guar gum), E440 (pectin) and E471 (mono‑ and diglycerides of fatty acids).

How do the high sugar and saturated fat levels in Mini caramel affect people with diabetes or heart‑related conditions?

With 26 g of sugar per 100 g, the bar can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes, making it unsuitable for strict diabetic diets. The 14 g of saturated fat contributes to elevated LDL cholesterol, which may increase cardiovascular risk for those with heart disease or hypertension.

Can someone following a vegan, gluten‑free or low‑salt diet safely consume Mini caramel?

No. The product contains milk, butter, whey and other dairy ingredients, so it is not vegan. It also includes wheat flour and barley malt, introducing gluten, and therefore it is not gluten‑free. Although its salt content (1 g/100 g) is close to average, it does not qualify as low‑salt.

Picard • 280 g

8 mini-bâtonnets vanille et caramel

Milk And Dairy Products

Product Insights

Mini caramel is a frozen ice‑cream bar from Picard, classified in the milk and dairy products group, specifically ice cream. It carries a Nutri‑Score of E and falls into NOVA group 4, indicating an ultra‑processed product with high levels of fat (23 g), saturated fat (14 g) and sugars (26 g) per 100 g, while providing modest protein (3.9 g) and fiber (2.5 g). The bar also contains gluten, milk, nuts and soy allergens and several additives (E322, E322i, E412, E440, E471), which may be concerns for sensitive consumers.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

low

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal366 kcal

Fat23 g

Saturated Fat14 g

Carbohydrates34.5 g

Sugars25.5 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average ice‑cream bar, this product contains roughly 22% more sugar (26 g vs 21.35 g), double the fat (23 g vs 11.56 g) and about twice the saturated fat (14 g vs 7.43 g), while its salt level is slightly below the typical 1.16 g per 100 g.

Ingredients

Mini-bâtonnet crème glacée 54,3% au caramel au beurre salé, enrobage 37,1% au chocolat Lait et morceaux de noisette grillée, sauce 8,6% au caramel au beurre salé : enrobage au chocolat au LAIT 31,4% [sucre, beurre de cacao, pâte de cacao, matière grasse Laitière anhydre (LAIT), LAIT écrémé en poudre, lactosérum (LAIT) en poudre, émulsifiant : lécithine de SOJA], LAIT écrémé réhydraté, caramel au beurre salé 8,9% [sirop de glucose, LAIT entier concentré sucré (LAIT entier, sucre), beurre sale 1,6% (beurre (LAIT), sel), eau, sucre, sel), crème fraiche liquide (LAIT) 7, 1%, morceau de NOISETTE grillée 5,7%, sucre, fibre soluble de mais, sirop de glucose, eau, émulsifiant : mono - et diglycérides d'acides gras d'origine végétale, gélifiants (farine de graines de caroube, gomme guar, pectines), LAIT écrémé concentré, sel, caramel aromatique (sucre, eau). Mini-bâtonnet crème glacée 53% à la vanille, enrobage 38,4% au chocolat noir et morceaux de crêpe dentelle, sauce 8,6% au caramel au beurre salé: enrobage au chocolat noir 34,2% [sucre, pâte de cacao, beurre de cacao, matière grasse Laitière anhydre (LAIT), émulsifiant : lécithine de SOJA], LAIT cacao, beurre de cacao, matière grasse Laitière anhydre (LAIT), émulsifiant : lécithine de SOJA], LAIT écrémé réhydraté, eau, sirop de glucose, crème fraîche liquide (LAIT) 7%, sucre, morceau de crêpe dentelle 4,2% (farine de BLE (gluten), sucre, beurre concentré (LAIT), LAIT écrémé en poudre, malt d'ORGE (gluten), sel], lactose (LAIT) et protéines de LAIT, fibre soluble de mais, caramel au beurre salé 0,7% [sirop de glucose, LAIT entier concentré sucré (LAÍT entier, sucre), beurre salé 0,1% (beurre (LAIT), sel), eau, sucre, sell, LAIT écrémé concentré, émulsifiant: mono - et diglycérides d'acides gras d'origine végétale, gélifiants (farine de graines de caroube, gomme guar, pectines), extrait de vanille 0,07%, caramel aromatique (sucre, eau), gousse de vanille épuisée et broyée, sel, d’origine végétale, gélifiants (farine de graines de caroube, gomme guar, pectines), extrait de vanille 0,07%, caramel aromatique (sucre, eau), gousse de vanille épuisée et broyée, sel.

84%

35%

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