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

Because the formulation includes refined wheat flour, added sugars, emulsifiers, a preservative and a flour‑treatment agent, it falls into the ultra‑processed NOVA 4 group; the listed additives are E472e (mono‑ and diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono‑ and diglycerides), E481 (sodium stearoyl‑2‑lactylate), E282 (calcium propionate) and E300 (ascorbic acid).

How does the sugar and salt content in Medium Soft Wholemeal affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With only 0.8 g of sugar per serving (≈2.1 g per 100 g), the bread has a minimal impact on blood‑glucose spikes, making it acceptable for diabetic meal planning, but its 0.335 g of salt per serving (≈0.88 g per 100 g) contributes to daily sodium intake and should be limited for hypertensive individuals.

Based on the ingredients, is this bread suitable for strict diets like Vegan, Keto, Halal, or Gluten‑Free?

The loaf is vegan because it contains only plant‑derived components, but it is not gluten‑free due to wheat flour and wheat protein, and its carbohydrate level (≈36 g per 100 g) makes it unsuitable for a ketogenic diet; halal status cannot be confirmed as some emulsifiers may be derived from animal sources, though no explicit animal ingredients are listed.

Rowan Hill Bakery

Medium Soft Wholemeal

Cereals And Potatoes

Product Insights

Medium Soft Wholemeal is a sliced wholemeal bread made from wholemeal wheat flour, water, wheat protein, yeast, soy flour and a blend of vitamins and minerals. Per 38 g serving it provides 84 kcal, 4.1 g protein, 2.8 g fiber, 0.8 g fat, 0.8 g sugars and 0.335 g salt, offering low fat and sugar but a moderate amount of salt. It carries a Nutri‑Score of A yet is classified in NOVA 4, reflecting its ultra‑processed nature with additives such as mono‑ and diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono‑ and diglycerides (E472e), sodium stearoyl‑2‑lactylate (E481), calcium propionate (E282) and ascorbic acid (E300).

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Added Sugars0.3 g

Fruits & Vegetables0 %

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average sliced‑bread category, this wholemeal loaf contains roughly half the sugar (2.1 g vs 4.8 g/100 g), less than one‑quarter the fat (2.1 g vs 5.5 g), about one‑fifth the saturated fat (0.26 g vs 1.4 g), about one‑fifth the salt (0.88 g vs 3.95 g), provides fewer calories (221 kcal vs 349 kcal), but delivers more fiber (7.4 g vs 5.4 g) and slightly more protein (10.8 g vs 9.9 g).

Ingredients

Wholemeal Wheat Flour, Water, Wheat Protein, Yeast, Soya Flour, Salt, Sugar, Emulsifiers: Mono - and Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Mono - and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids, Sodium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate; Preservative: Calcium Propionate; Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Caramelised Sugar, Flour Treatment Agent: Ascorbic Acid. Allergy Advice For allergens, including Cereals containing Gluten, see ingredients in bold. Lidl Great Britain Ltd, Lidl House, 14 Kingston Road, Surbiton, KT5 9NU. 800

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