Why is Jaffa Cakes classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

It is labelled NOVA 4 because the formulation combines refined sugars, glucose-fructose syrup, palm fat and several food-industry additives; the ingredient list includes emulsifiers E322 (lecithins) and E471 (mono- and diglycerides), acidity regulators E330 (citric acid) and E331 (sodium citrates), stabiliser E420 (sorbitols), gelling agent E440 (pectins), raising agents E500 (sodium carbonates) and E503 (ammonium carbonates), as well as flavorings and orange oil.

How does the high sugar content in Jaffa Cakes affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 52 g of sugars per 100 g, the biscuits raise blood glucose quickly, which can destabilise diabetic control; the low salt (0.13 g) is not a major concern for hypertension, but the overall high sugar and energy load make it unsuitable for regular consumption in these diets.

Based on its ingredient list, is this Jaffa Cakes product suitable for vegan, gluten-free, or keto diets?

No; it contains egg, wheat flour and wheat starch (gluten), and palm fat that is not plant-only, while the high carbohydrate (68 g) and sugar levels make it incompatible with keto, and the presence of animal-derived egg excludes it from vegan diets.

Belmont • 300 g

Jaffa Cakes

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Jaffa Cakes are sugary snack biscuits filled with orange fruit paste and coated with plain chocolate, belonging to the Sugary snacks and Biscuits & cakes groups. The product carries a Nutri-Score of E and is classified as ultra-processed (NOVA group 4), reflecting the presence of multiple additives such as emulsifiers (E322, E471), acidity regulators (E330, E331), stabilisers (E420, E440), and raising agents (E500, E503). Nutritionally it delivers 375 kcal, 9.3 g fat (5.3 g saturated), 52 g sugars and 0.13 g salt per 100 g, while providing modest fiber (2.3 g) and protein (3.2 g), making it high in sugar and saturated fat but low in salt.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

low

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal375 kcal

Fat9.3 g

Saturated Fat5.3 g

Carbohydrates68 g

Sugars52 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average sweet snack, this Jaffa Cakes product contains markedly more sugar (52 g vs 28.98 g per 100 g) while providing less fat, saturated fat, salt and calories (9.3 g fat, 5.3 g saturated fat, 0.13 g salt and 375 kcal vs averages of 17.65 g, 7.8 g, 1.98 g and 418.19 kcal).

Ingredients

glucose-fructose syrup, sugar, plain chocolate (17%) (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifier: lecithins (soya), flavouring), sweetened pasteurised egg (egg, sugar, glucose-fructose syrup), orange juice from concentrate (12%),wheat flour, palm fat, stabiliser: sorbitols, wheat starch, gelling agent: pectins, acid: citric acid, tapioca starch, raising agents: ammonium carbonates, sodium carbonates, emulsifier: mono-and diglycerides of fatty acids, orange oil, acidity regulator: sodium citrates, salt, typ ene fat o w carb o w fibr prot salt

84%

35%

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