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

It receives a NOVA 4 rating because the chicken fillet is brined, combined with processed turkey ham, a cheese-based sauce, a breaded coating, and several industrial additives; its ingredient list includes sodium nitrite (E250) as a preservative, citric acid (E330) and sodium citrate (E331) as acidity regulators, carrageenan (E407) and alginate (E407a) as gelling agents, polyphosphates (E452) for texture, and the natural flavoring code E14xx.

How does the high salt content in this chicken cordon bleu affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 11.2 g of salt per 100 g, the product delivers more than three times the average sodium for meat preparations, which can raise blood pressure, increase cardiovascular risk and exacerbate kidney strain; for people with hypertension or diabetes, who are routinely advised to limit sodium, this level makes the item unsuitable for regular consumption.

Is the soy protein in this product a concern for people with soy allergy?

Yes - soy protein appears in both the chicken fillet brine and the breading, contributing roughly 4 % of the product, and the label flags soy as an allergen, so anyone allergic to soy should avoid this cordon bleu.

Les Volailles du Chef, Toque du Chef • 2*100g

Cordons bleus de poulet

Fish Meat Eggs

Product Insights

Cordons bleus de poulet are breaded chicken fillet rolls filled with turkey ham and melted Emmental cheese, produced by Les Volailles du Chef and Toque du Chef and sold in 2 x 100 g packs at Lidl. Classified in the PNNS 'Meat' group, the product carries a Nutri-Score of E and a NOVA 4 rating, reflecting its ultra-processed nature with multiple additives such as sodium nitrite (E250), citric acid (E330), sodium citrate (E331), carrageenan (E407), alginate (E407a) and polyphosphates (E452), while providing low sugar (2 g/100 g) but an exceptionally high salt level of 11.2 g/100 g. On the positive side, it offers a substantial protein source from French chicken and turkey meat and contains no palm oil, yet it is high in sodium, includes common allergens (gluten, milk, soy), and is packaged in non-recyclable plastic film, limiting its health and environmental appeal.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

low

Salt

high

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal228 kcal

Fat12 g

Saturated Fat2.9 g

Carbohydrates17 g

Sugars2 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average values for similar meat preparations, this chicken cordon bleu contains slightly less sugar (2 g vs 2.15 g per 100 g) but has a dramatically higher salt level (11.2 g vs 3.21 g per 100 g), far exceeding typical benchmarks.

Ingredients

53% viande de filet de poulet traitée en salaison (34% viande de filet de poulet (Origine: France), eau, protéines de soja, fibre de blé, dextrose, sel, arôme naturel), panure (chapelure (farine de blé, sel, levure, épices), farine de blé, sel, arôme naturel), 10% jambon de dinde cuit standard (8% viande de dinde (Origine France), eau, sirop de glucose, protéines de soja, sel, fécule de pomme de terre, arômes naturels, gélifiant algues Euchema transformées; conservateur: nitrite de sodium), 10% Emmental fondu (eau, 2,5% Emmental (lait), amidons modifiés de pomme de terre et maïs, beurre (lait), fromages (lait), protéines de lait, lait en poudre écréme, sels de fonte citrates de sodium, polyphosphates ; gélifiant: carraghénanes; correcteur d'acidité : acide citrique), huile de tournesol

84%

35%

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