Why is 12 Falafels classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

NOVA 4 reflects the presence of multiple industrial ingredients such as leavening agents (E450), sodium carbonate (E500), a preservative (E202 potassium sorbate), acidifier (E334 tartaric acid), and texture enhancers (E412 guar gum and E415 xanthan gum), which together place the product in the ultra‑processed category.

How does the salt content in this falafel affect a hypertensive diet?

The product contains 1.1 g of salt per 100 g, which is lower than the average plant‑based meal but still contributes to daily sodium intake; consuming large portions could approach recommended limits for people managing hypertension, so portion control is advisable.

Is 12 Falafels suitable for vegan, gluten‑free, or kosher diets?

The falafel balls themselves are vegan, but the accompanying mint sauce includes skimmed milk powder and egg yolk, making the overall product non‑vegan and unsuitable for gluten‑free diets due to wheat flour; kosher status is not indicated, so it cannot be confirmed as kosher.

AGIS • 200 g

12 Falafels

Composite Foods

Product Insights

The product is a pack of 12 ready‑to‑heat falafel balls, classified as a plant‑based one‑dish meal (pnns_groups_2: One‑dish meals) that serves as a vegetarian protein source. It carries a Nutri‑Score of C and belongs to Nova group 4, indicating an ultra‑processed product with added leavening agents, preservatives, and a small amount of dairy and egg in the mint sauce. Nutritionally it offers 225 kcal per 100 g, 8.9 g protein, 20 g carbohydrates, 11 g fat (1.1 g saturated) and 1.1 g salt, which is moderate compared with typical meals, but the salt level is relatively high and it contains gluten, milk and egg traces.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal225 kcal

Fat11 g

Saturated Fat1.1 g

Carbohydrates20 g

Sugars1.9 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average plant‑based meal, this falafel is lower in sugar and salt but contains almost double the fat per 100 g.

Ingredients

Falafel 12x15g Pois chiche réhydraté 30% (eau, pois chiche), fevette réhydratée 25% (eau, fevette), oignon, persil, farine de pois chiche, farine de BLE, eau, sel, poudres à lever: E450, E500 (amidon de BLE), pulpe d'ail, cumin, coriandre, piment. Huile de tournesol. Pourcentages exprimés sur le falafel. Traces possibles de lait. Sauce blanche à la menthe 20g: Eau, huile de colza, LAIT écrémé en poudre, jaune d'OEUF salé, menthe 0,2%, ail, sel, jus de citron concentré, amidon modifié de pomme de terre, acidifiant: acide tartrique, épaississants: gomme guar, gomme xanthane, arôme naturel, conservateur: sorbate de potassium, poivre.

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