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

It is classified as ultra-processed because the recipe assembles several industrially prepared components - pre-cooked chicken, pre-cooked merguez, refined semolina, added rapeseed oil, salt, spices, and a food-grade antioxidant (sodium erythorbate, E316) - and undergoes multiple processing steps such as brining, cooking, and flash-freezing, which meet the NOVA 4 criteria.

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

Each 100 g serving provides only 0.5 g of sugars, making it low-sugar and generally safe for diabetic meal planning, while the 0.71 g of salt represents about 12 % of the recommended daily limit of 6 g; although lower than many ready-meals, the sodium level may still require moderation for people with hypertension, and the total carbohydrate load (approximately 22 g per 100 g from semolina) should be considered in portion control.

Is the gluten from durum wheat in this couscous a concern for people with celiac disease?

Yes, the semolina base is made from durum wheat, which contains gluten, so the product is not safe for individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

Picard • 400 g

Couscous

Composite Foods

Product Insights

Couscous is a French frozen ready-to-heat meal that combines chicken, merguez (beef and mutton), vegetables and semolina, and is classified as a composite food (one-dish meal). It carries a Nutri-Score of B and belongs to NOVA group 4, indicating an ultra-processed product, yet it provides 6.9 g of protein per 100 g and low sugar (0.5 g) and salt (0.71 g) compared with typical ready-meals. The formulation includes the additive sodium erythorbate (E316) and the allergens gluten and celery, which may be problematic for sensitive consumers.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal122 kcal

Fat3.9 g

Saturated Fat1 g

Carbohydrates14 g

Sugars0.5 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average ready-meal, this couscous contains roughly one-third the sugar (0.5 g vs 3.6 g/100 g), about one-fifth the salt (0.71 g vs 3.55 g/100 g), and provides less energy (approximately 122 kcal vs 175 kcal per 100 g).

Ingredients

Semoule cuisinée 28,5% [semoule de BLÉ dur (GLUTEN), eau, huile de colza, sel, curcuma], eau, filet de poulet cuit traité en salaison [filet de poulet 8,9% (origine : France), eau, sel], merguez précuite 5% [viande bovine (origine: France), viande et gras de mouton (origine : UE), épices et plante aromatique, sel, dextrose, sucre, antioxydant: érythorbate de sodium, arômes naturels], oignon, navet, carotte, courgette grillée, pois chiche (pois chiche, eau, sel), poivron rouge, poivron vert, CELERI, purée de tomate double concentrée, huile de colza, épices raz el hanout, sel, graisse de poulet (origine : France), coriandre, cumin, coriandre en poudre, purée d'ail, amidon de maïs, cannelle, muscade. Peut contenir des traces de : oeuf, soja, moutarde, sésame.

84%

35%

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