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

It is made from multiple processed components (brined chicken, pre-cooked turkey bacon, a cheese melt and a breaded coating) combined with industrial additives such as sodium nitrite (E250) for preservation, sodium ascorbate (E301) as antioxidant, and thickening gums carob gum (E410) and xanthan gum (E415). These ingredients and the multi-step manufacturing process place the product in the highest NOVA category.

How does the salt content in Cordons bleus affect a hypertensive diet?

Each 100 g serving contains about 1.2 g of salt, which is roughly 30% of the WHO's recommended daily maximum of 5 g; for people with high blood pressure, regular consumption can increase sodium intake and may worsen hypertension, so portion control or choosing lower-salt alternatives is advisable.

Is Cordons bleus suitable for gluten-free, vegan, or keto diets?

No. The breaded coating and breadcrumbs contain wheat flour and gluten, making it unsuitable for gluten-free diets; the product includes chicken, turkey bacon, cheese and butter, so it is not vegan; and the 24% breadcrumb coating adds enough carbohydrates (about 12-14 g per 100 g) that it exceeds the strict net-carb limits of a ketogenic diet.

Picard • 600g (6x100g)

Cordons bleus

Meats And Their Products

Product Insights

Cordons bleus is a French breaded chicken dish that combines chicken fillet, smoked turkey bacon, and melted Emmental cheese, delivering a high-protein (18 g per 100 g) meat-based product. It carries a Nutri-Score of C and is classified in NOVA group 4, reflecting its ultra-processed nature with added preservatives (E250, E301) and stabilisers (E410, E415). While the product offers modest sugar (1.3 g) and lower-than-average saturated fat (3.1 g) and salt (1.2 g) per 100 g, it is not suitable for vegan, gluten-free or low-sodium diets and contains the allergens gluten and milk.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Added Sugars1.4 g

Fruits & Vegetables0 %

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average values for similar breaded meat products, this chicken cordon bleu provides almost double the protein (18 g vs 10 g per 100 g), while its saturated fat (3.1 g) and salt (1.2 g) are well below the category averages of 7 g and 2 g respectively, and its sugar level matches the typical 1.3 g.

Ingredients

Filets de poulet traités en salaison [filet de poulet 42,5% (origine: France), eau, protéines de BLÉ (GLUTEN), sel, fibre de blé], panure 24% [chapelure (farine de BLÉ (GLUTEN), levure, sel, épices (paprika, curcuma)), eau, farine de BLÉ (GLUTEN), semoule de BLÉ dur (GLUTEN), GLUTEN de BLÉ, amidon de BLÉ (GLUTEN), sel], bacon de dinde fumé 11,5% [viande de dinde (origine: France*); sel, dextrose, arôme de fumée, antioxydant: ascorbate de sodium, conservateur: nitrite de sodium, ferments, fumée naturelle], emmental fondu 11,5% [emmental (contient : LAIT), fromages (contient : LAIT), beurre (LAIT), protéines de LAIT, eau, épaississants: gomme de caroube et gomme xanthane, LAIT écrémé en poudre], huile de tournesol. Peut contenir des traces de: oeuf, soja, fruits à coque, céleri, moutarde.

84%

35%

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