Why is VEGEtal Balls a la Thai classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

Because the product undergoes multiple processing steps such as pre-cooking, pre-frying and the addition of isolated ingredients, it is placed in NOVA group 4. The label lists two food-additive numbers: E267 (buffered vinegar) used as a preservative and E461 (methylcellulose) used as a thickener.

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

With only 1.6 g of sugars per 100 g, the product is low-sugar and compatible with diabetic meal planning, but the 0.76 g of salt (about 300 mg sodium) contributes to daily sodium intake and should be considered by individuals managing hypertension.

Is VEGEtal Balls a la Thai suitable for strict diets such as vegan, keto, halal, or gluten-free?

The product is vegan and free from animal-derived ingredients, but it contains wheat gluten and soy, so it is not gluten-free and may not suit those avoiding soy; it also has traces of egg, fish, milk and molluscs, which can conflict with halal requirements, and its carbohydrate level makes it less compatible with a strict keto regimen.

Carrefour, Carrefour Sensation, Carrefour Veggie • 200 g

VEGEtal Balls à la Thaï

Plant Based Foods And Beverages

Product Insights

VEGEtal Balls a la Thai are plant-based vegetarian balls marketed as a Thai-flavoured meat alternative and produced in France by Carrefour. As a protein foods item they carry a Nutri-Score of A and are classified as NOVA 4 ultra-processed, delivering 11 g of protein, 3.7 g of fiber and only 1.6 g of sugars per 100 g while containing 0.76 g of salt and 0.9 g of saturated fat. However, the formulation includes wheat gluten, soy and traces of egg, fish, milk and molluscs, and uses additives such as buffered vinegar (E267) and methylcellulose (E461), which may be concerns for allergen-sensitive or clean-eating consumers.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal213 kcal

Fat11 g

Saturated Fat0.9 g

Carbohydrates17 g

Sugars1.6 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average plant-based meat alternative, this product provides far less sugar (1.6 g vs 10.9 g), lower total and saturated fat, lower salt (0.76 g vs 1.04 g), roughly double the protein (11 g vs 6.2 g) and about 213 kcal per 100 g versus the category average of 295 kcal.

Ingredients

Eau, huiles végétales (colza et tournesol en proportion variable), chapelure 11% (farine de _blé_, levure, sel), protéines de blé texturées et déshydratées 10%, carottes orange 10%, carottes jaunes 9%, oignons préfrits (oignons, huile végétale (contient tournesol et/ou colza)), farine de _blé_, champignons noirs 2.8%, coriandre 1.6%, sauce _soja_ (eau, _soja_, _blé_, sel), conservateur : vinaigre tamponné, ail, citronnelle 1.1%, fibres de blé, sel, épaississant : méthylcellulose, fibres de psyllium, curcuma 0.16%, gingembre en poudre 0.14%. Fabriqué dans un atelier utilisant : céleri, lait, mollusques, poissons et œufs.

84%

35%

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