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

The product is rated NOVA 4 because it combines a whole‑food base with multiple industrial ingredients such as refined flours, starches, emulsifiers, stabilisers and flavour enhancers, and it undergoes breading, frying and seasoning processes. Its additive list includes emulsifier E14xx, thickener E341 (calcium phosphate), stabilisers E412 (guar gum) and E415 (xanthan gum), leavening agents E450 (diphosphates), E500 (sodium carbonates) and the coating agent E500, all of which are typical of highly processed convenience meals.

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

At 2.4 g of sugar per 100 g the product is lower than the average for frozen meals, but it still contributes 26 g of total carbohydrates, which can raise blood glucose and therefore should be counted in a diabetic meal plan. The salt level of 0.8 g (0.32 g sodium) is modest compared with many processed foods, yet it adds to daily sodium intake and may be a concern for people managing hypertension, so portion control is advisable.

Based on the ingredients, is this product suitable for strict diets like vegan, keto, halal or gluten‑free?

The dish is not vegan because it contains chicken fillet and animal‑derived flavourings, and it is not halal due to the presence of mirin, which includes alcohol, and soy sauce that may contain non‑halal ingredients. It is not gluten‑free because wheat flour and gluten appear in the breading and coating. The carbohydrate content (26 g per 100 g) and the presence of rice make it unsuitable for a keto diet, which requires very low carbohydrate intake.

picard • 350 g

Poulet karaage

Composite Foods

Product Insights

Poulet karaage is a frozen, ready‑to‑heat Japanese‑style chicken and rice dish sold by Picard, featuring breaded chicken slices, cooked rice and mixed vegetables. Per 100 g it provides 177 kcal, 7.9 g fat, 0.8 g salt, 2.4 g sugars and 5.1 g protein, earning a Nutri‑Score of C and a NOVA rating of 4, indicating an ultra‑processed food, and it lists allergens gluten, soy, sesame and nuts. The formulation includes several additives (E14xx, E341, E412, E415, E450, E500) and added sugars, giving it a moderate fat and salt profile but a higher level of processing than whole‑food options.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal177 kcal

Fat7.9 g

Saturated Fat0.7 g

Carbohydrates26 g

Sugars2.4 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with typical frozen ready meals, this karaage dish contains more fat (7.9 g vs 5.9 g) and carbohydrates (26 g vs 23 g), but less sugar (2.4 g vs 3.6 g) and salt (0.8 g vs 3.6 g) per 100 g.

Ingredients

Riz cuit 45,9% (eau, rìz, huile de tournesol), filet de poulet cuit pané tranché [filet de poulet (origine : Thailande*) 10,9%, mélange de farine (eau, farine de _blé_ (_gluten_), sel, huile de _soja_, épaississants (gomme guar, gomme xanthane), dextrose, poivre, poudre à lever (diphosphates, carbonates de sodium, phosphates de calcium), panure 2,1% (farine de _blé_ (_gluten_), sucre, sel, levure), enrobage (amidon transformé de tapioca, farine de _blé_ (_gluten_), sel), eau, sauce _soja_ (eau, graine de _soja_, sel, farine de _blé_ (_gluten_)), mirin (eau, sirop de glucose, riz collant, alcool, Koji (riz, graine de Koji), gingembre, ail, sel], oignon 7,8%, carotte 7,4%, châtaigne d'eau 7,1%, assaisonnement à la sauce _soja_ 3,4% [eau, sauce _soja_ (eau, _soja_, sel, farine de _blé_ (_gluten_), huile de tournesol, sucre de canne, farine de tapioca, sel], oignon jeune 1,5%, huile de tournesol, sucre de canne, _noix de cajou_ 1,1%, piment rouge, mirin 0,7% (eau, sirop de glucose, riz collant, alcool, Koji (riz, graine de Koji), farine de tapioca, huile de sésame, sauce soja 0,5% [eau, graine de _soja_, sel, farine de _blé_ (_gluten_)], échalote, ail, sauce _soja_ noire [mélasse de sucre de canne, eau, sel, sauce _soja_ (graine de _soja_, farine de _blé_ (_gluten_), sel, eau)], piment séché. * Issu d'animaux nés, élevés, abattus et transformés en Thaïlande.

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