Why is 8 pains au chocolat classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

It is deemed ultra-processed because it combines refined wheat flour, palm fat, chocolate and several food-grade additives, including the emulsifier lecithin (E322), mono- and diglycerides (E471), colour carotenoids (E160), antioxidant ascorbic acid (E300) and a natural vanilla flavour.

How does the sugar and salt content in 8 pains au chocolat affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 11 g of sugar and 0.8 g of salt per 100 g, the croissant can cause rapid blood-glucose spikes and adds a moderate amount of sodium, making it unsuitable for strict diabetic or high-blood-pressure diets.

Is the wheat flour in 8 pains au chocolat a concern for people with gluten intolerance?

Yes, the product contains wheat flour and added wheat gluten, so it is not safe for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Carrefour • 360 g

8 pains au chocolat

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Carrefour's 8-piece pack of chocolate croissants (pain au chocolat) is a French bakery-style pastry made with wheat flour, butter, eggs, milk, sugar and chocolate, belonging to the PNNS groups 'Sugary snacks' and 'Pastries'. It carries a Nutri-Score of E and is classified as NOVA 4 (ultra-processed), reflecting a high fat content (approximately 20 g per 100 g), saturated fat (about 11 g per 100 g), and sugars (11 g per 100 g) with moderate salt (0.8 g per 100 g) and limited fiber (3 g per 100 g). The formula uses sustainably sourced palm oil and is packaged in a single-use plastic bag, but it contains the allergens eggs, gluten and milk.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

moderate

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal408 kcal

Fat21 g

Saturated Fat11 g

Carbohydrates46 g

Sugars11 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average French sweet snack, this chocolate croissant contains less sugar (11 g vs 16.6 g per 100 g) and less salt (0.8 g vs 1.9 g), but more saturated fat (11 g vs 8.8 g), resulting in a higher energy density.

Ingredients

Farine de _blé_ 40%, matière grasse de palme, chocolat 12% (sucre, pâte de cacao, beurre de cacao, émulsifiant : lécithines, arôme naturel de vanille), eau, levain (eau, farines de _blé_ 3.7% et de _seigle_, levures), sucre, _œufs_ entiers frais, beurre concentré (contient _lait_), _lait_ écrémé en poudre, levure, gluten de _blé_, émulsifiant : mono - et diglycérides d'acides gras, sel, arôme naturel (contient alcool), agent de traitement de la farine : acide ascorbique, colorant : caroténoïdes. Peut contenir des traces de soja.

84%

35%

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