Why is Falafeles Sauce à la purée de sésame classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and which additives does it contain?

The product is placed in NOVA 4 because its formulation relies on multiple industrial ingredients and processing steps, such as a leavening blend (diphosphates E450 and sodium carbonates E500), an acidifier (tartaric acid E334), and thickening agents (guar gum E412 and xanthan gum E415); these additives are typical of ultra‑processed foods.

How does the salt content in this product affect someone following a low‑sodium or hypertensive diet?

With 2.16 g of salt per 100 g, the falafel exceeds the recommended maximum of 0.5 g per serving for a low‑sodium diet and can contribute to increased blood pressure, so it should be consumed only occasionally by people managing hypertension.

Is the sesame component in this falafel a risk for people with sesame allergy, and does the product contain any other common allergens?

The recipe includes a sesame‑purée that provides 5.7 % of the product, making it a definite source of sesame allergens; additionally, the wheat flour introduces gluten, so individuals allergic to sesame or gluten should avoid it.

Picard • 280 g e

Falafeles Sauce à la purée de sésame

Plant Based Foods And Beverages

Product Insights

Falafeles Sauce à la purée de sésame is a frozen, plant-based falafel snack from Picard, presented in a 280 g box and labeled vegetarian and made in France. It carries a Nutri-Score of C and is classified in NOVA group 4, indicating an ultra-processed product that includes several food-industry additives such as diphosphates (E450), sodium carbonates (E500), tartaric acid (E334), guar gum (E412) and xanthan gum (E415). Nutritionally, it provides 296 kcal per 100 g with 20 g fat (including 1.7 g saturated), 2.16 g salt and 2.2 g sugars, offering a good amount of fiber (6.1 g) but a relatively high salt level and moderate sugar‑to‑fiber balance.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

low

Salt

high

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal296 kcal

Fat20 g

Saturated Fat1.7 g

Carbohydrates20 g

Sugars2.2 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average frozen plant‑based snack, this falafel contains considerably more fat (20 g vs 5.8 g), higher salt (2.16 g vs 1.37 g) and lower sugar (2.2 g vs 3.25 g) per 100 g, while its fiber (6.1 g) and protein (7.1 g) are slightly below the category averages.

Ingredients

Falafels (240 g) : pois chiche 51,6 %, oignon 14,1 %, farine de _blé_ (_gluten_), coriandre feuille 5,5 %, persil 2,9 %, poudre à lever (diphosphates, carbonates de sodium), menthe douce 1,6 %, ail, sel, épices 0,2 % (coriandre, cumin, poivre, piment de Cayenne). Sauce à la purée de sésame (40 g) : eau, purée de sésame 5,7 %, sucre, jus de citron concentré, sel, ail, acidifiant : acide tartrique, épaississants (gomme guar, gomme xanthane), amidon transformé de maïs. Huile de tournesol utilisée pour la friture.

84%

35%

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