Why is Dark chocolate Digestives classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and which additives does it contain?

The biscuits combine refined wheat flour, added sugars, multiple emulsifiers, raising agents and palm‑derived fats, all of which are characteristic of ultra‑processed foods; the label lists four additives: E322 (soy lecithin), E476 (polyglycerol polyricinoleate), E500 (sodium carbonate) and E503 (ammonium carbonate).

How might the sugar and saturated fat levels in Dark chocolate Digestives affect someone with diabetes or high cholesterol?

With 23.3 g of sugar per 100 g, the biscuits can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes, which is unsuitable for diabetic management, and the 12.4 g of saturated fat can raise LDL cholesterol, making them a poor choice for heart‑healthy diets.

Is the palm oil used in Dark chocolate Digestives a concern for sustainability or health?

Palm oil contributes to the product’s saturated fat content and is linked to deforestation and threatened species; although it represents only a small fraction of the formula, its presence still raises environmental and health considerations.

Tower Gate • 300g

Dark chocolate Digestives

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Dark chocolate Digestives are chocolate‑coated biscuit snacks belonging to the Sugary snacks and Biscuits & cakes groups. They receive a Nutri‑Score of E and are classified as NOVA 4 ultra‑processed, reflecting their high sugar (23.3 g), high saturated fat (12.4 g) and moderate salt (0.52 g) per 100 g, alongside a relatively high fiber content (4.4 g) and the presence of four food additives. While the whole‑grain wheat flour provides some dietary fiber, the product contains common allergens (gluten, milk, soy) and ingredients such as palm oil that raise sustainability concerns.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal496 kcal

Fat23 g

Saturated Fat12.4 g

Carbohydrates63 g

Sugars23.3 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average sweet snack, this biscuit has lower sugar (23.3 g vs 28.98 g) and salt (0.52 g vs 1.98 g) but higher total fat (23 g vs 17.65 g) and saturated fat (12.4 g vs 7.8 g).

Ingredients

Wheat Flour, 30% Dark Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Mass**, Vegetable Fat [Sal, Palm Oil, Shea), Milk Fat, Cocoa Butter Emulsifiers: Soya Lecithins, Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate; Natural Vanilla Flavouring), Palm Oil, Wholemeal Wheat Flour, Sugar, Invert Sugar Syrup, Raising Agents: Sodium Carbonates, Ammonium Carbonates; Salt.

84%

35%

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