Why is Paella classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The meal is a frozen, ready‑to‑heat blend of cooked meats, seafood, rice, sauces and flavorings, which places it in NOVA group 4 for ultra‑processed foods; its label lists three additives – E100 (turmeric extract), E330 (citric acid) and E331 (sodium citrate) – used for color and acidity control.

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

With only 1 g of sugars per 100 g, the product is well below the average sugar level for similar frozen meals and can fit into a diabetes‑friendly plan when portions are controlled; its salt amount of 0.92 g per 100 g (≈ 370 mg sodium) is also considerably lower than the category average, making it a comparatively safer choice for people managing hypertension, though overall daily intake should still be monitored.

Based on the ingredient list, is this Paella suitable for vegan, keto, halal, or gluten‑free diets?

No. The dish contains chicken thigh, pork chorizo, shrimp and mussels, so it is neither vegan nor vegetarian and does not meet halal standards because of pork. Trace gluten is indicated, preventing a gluten‑free claim, and its carbohydrate level of 15 g per 100 g exceeds typical keto limits.

Toque du Chef • 1,5 kg

Paella

Composite Foods

Product Insights

Paella is a frozen, microwave‑ready one‑dish meal sold by Lidl, packaged in a 1.5 kg plastic tray and composed of chicken thigh, long‑grain rice, assorted seafood, chorizo and vegetables. Per 100 g it provides 182 kcal, 9.3 g fat (1.8 g saturated), 0.92 g salt, 1 g sugars, 9.1 g protein and 0.8 g fiber, earning a Nutri‑Score of C and a NOVA classification of 4, indicating an ultra‑processed product. The formulation contains crustacean and mollusc allergens and includes three food additives – E100 (turmeric extract), E330 (citric acid) and E331 (sodium citrate) – while the plastic tray is not fully recyclable.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal182 kcal

Fat9.3 g

Saturated Fat1.8 g

Carbohydrates15 g

Sugars1 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with average frozen meals, this Paella offers lower sugar (1 g vs 3.57 g) and salt (0.92 g vs 3.55 g) but higher fat (9.3 g vs 5.94 g) and slightly more calories (182 kcal vs 174.58 kcal).

Ingredients

30,2% haut de cuisse de poulet (Origine : France), eau, 16,7% riz long, 5,1% poivron, 4,7% moule du Pacifique décoquillée, oignon, 3,7% crevette , huile de colza, 2,7% petit pois, 2,6% moule entière, 1,6% chorizo précuit pelé (viande de porc (Origine : France), épices, piment doux, piment fort, piment fumé, poivre, ail, origan, muscade, carvi, coriandre, clou de girofle, sel, arômes naturels, ferments), huile d' olive, double concentré de tomates, ail, 0,3% jus de moules, sel, piment doux, paprika, curcuma, curry (coriandre, curcuma, piment fort, fenugrec, sel, fenouil, ail), poivre blanc, extrait de curcuma ; fécule de pomme de terre, piment fort, arôme naturels, acide citrique, citrates de sodium.

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