Why is VERY VEGGIE Falafels classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The balls are made from pre-cooked legumes that are blended, shaped, coated with vegetable oil and frozen, a series of industrial steps that place them in the ultra-processed category; they contain the preservative E267 (vinegar with a buffering agent) and the thickener methylcellulose listed as additive E461.

How does the sugar and salt content in these falafel balls affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With only 1.5 g of sugars per 100 g, the product is low in sugar and safe for diabetic meal planning, but the 0.7 g of salt per 100 g contributes noticeably to daily sodium limits and may require moderation for people managing hypertension.

Based on the ingredient list, is this product suitable for strict diets like vegan, gluten-free, or low-sodium?

The falafels are fully vegan, but they contain wheat flour, so they are not gluten‑free; the sodium level is moderate rather than low, making it unsuitable for a strict low‑sodium diet without portion control.

Auchan Very Veggie • 0.2 kg

VERY VEGGIE FALAFELS LENTILLES CORAIL COCO et CURRY

Meat Alternatives

Product Insights

VERY VEGGIE Falafels with red lentils, coconut and curry are plant-based balls made from pre-cooked chickpeas, red lentils, carrots, coconut milk, vegetable oils and spices, sold in a 200 g plastic tray. They belong to the legumes-and-pulses food group, earn a Nutri-Score of A and contain 6.4 g protein, 5.6 g fiber and only 1.5 g sugars per 100 g, but also deliver 8.2 g fat (2 g saturated) and 0.7 g salt, classifying them as ultra-processed (NOVA 4). The product includes gluten, sulphites and the additives E267 (preserved vinegar) and E461 (methylcellulose), which may be concerns for allergy-sensitive or additive-aware consumers.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal167 kcal

Fat8.2 g

Saturated Fat2 g

Carbohydrates14 g

Sugars1.5 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average values for meat-alternative products, these falafels are lower in sugar, total fat, salt and calories, while providing more dietary fibre, but they contain less protein, slightly more saturated fat and higher carbohydrate levels.

Ingredients

Pois chiches précuits 43% (eau, pois chiches), carottes, eau, lentilles corail précuites 10% (eau, lentilles corail), oignons, lait de coco 5% (extrait de noix de coco, eau), huiles végétales (colza et tournesol) en proportion variable, farine de BLÉ, coriandre 2%, conservateur : vinaigre tamponné, curry 0,7% (curcuma, cumin, coriandre, piment fort), sel, ail déshydraté, épaississant : méthyl-cellulose. Traces éventuelles de lait, mollusques, poissons, soja, céleri et œuf.

84%

35%

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