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

The blend includes multiple processed components such as a BBQ sauce, red pepper paste, and a stabiliser, which involve heat treatment, ingredient extraction and the addition of functional ingredients. Its additive list features guar gum (E412) as a thickener, citric acid (E330) as an acidity regulator, paprika extract (E160c), smoked paprika powder and other flavor enhancers, all of which are typical of ultra‑processed foods.

How does the sugar and salt content in Mexican Style Grains affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 4.3 g of sugar per 100 g, the product can raise blood glucose levels and should be consumed in limited portions by people managing diabetes. The salt content of 1.21 g per 100 g exceeds the average for similar products and may contribute to higher blood pressure, making it less suitable for a hypertension‑friendly diet.

Based on its ingredients, is Mexican Style Grains suitable for strict vegan and gluten‑free diets?

All listed ingredients are plant‑based, confirming the product is vegan. It contains only rice, quinoa, beans, vegetables and gluten‑free spices, so it meets the criteria for a gluten‑free diet, provided cross‑contamination is not introduced during manufacturing.

Taste of • 250 g

Mexican Style Grains

Fruits And Vegetables

Product Insights

Mexican Style Grains is a vegan, plant‑based blend of cooked long‑grain rice, red quinoa, adzuki beans and a seasoned BBQ‑style sauce. It belongs to the Fruits and Vegetables (vegetables) PNNS group, providing 3.7 g of fiber and 4.3 g of protein per 100 g. The product carries a Nutri‑Score of C and is classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4), with relatively high sugar (4.3 g) and salt (1.21 g) levels and contains additives such as guar gum, citric acid, paprika extract and E‑numbers E160c, E330 and E412.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal154 kcal

Comparative Analysis

Compared with average grains and rice products, this mix has higher sugar (4.3 g vs 3.62 g), higher fat (2.6 g vs 1.39 g) and higher salt (1.21 g vs 0.73 g), while its saturated fat is similar and its fiber is slightly lower than the category average.

Ingredients

50% Cooked Long Grain Rice (Water, Long Grain Rice), 17% Cooked Red Quinoa (Water, Red Quinoa), Sweetcom, 6% Adzuki Beans, Tomato Paste, BBQ Sauce (Sugar, Dried Glucose Syrup, Maize Starch, Smoked Paprika Powder, Tomato Powder, Burnt Sugar Powder, Yeast Extract, Salt, Smoked Salt, Ground Paprika, Acidity Regulator: Citric Acid; Garlic Powder, Ground Black Pepper, Smoked Sugar Syrup, Paprika Extract, Chilli Powder), Rapeseed Oil, Red Pepper Paste (Red Pepper Purée, White Wine Vinegar, Rapeseed Oil, Salt), Salt, Chilli Powder, Onion Powder, Garlic Purée, Smoked Paprika Powder, Sugar, White Wine Vinegar, Chilli Flakes. Stabiliser: Guar Gum.

84%

35%

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