Why is porridge to go classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The bar is placed in NOVA group 4 because it combines whole grain oats with refined sugars, syrups, vegetable oil, modified starches and a range of food-industry additives such as emulsifier soy lecithin (E322), antioxidant tocopherol extract (E306), raising agent sodium bicarbonate (E500), acidity regulators malic and citric acid (E296, E330), and gelling agent pectin (E440).

How does the sugar and salt content in porridge to go affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 14 g of sugars and 0.55 g of salt per 100 g, the bar provides a moderate amount of sugar that can raise blood glucose quickly, making it a less suitable snack for people managing diabetes, while the relatively low salt level is acceptable for most hypertension diets but should still be counted toward daily limits.

Based on the ingredients, is porridge to go suitable for vegan, gluten-free, or nut-free diets?

No - the product contains skimmed milk powder, so it is not vegan; it lists rolled oat and oat flour, which contain gluten, so it is not gluten-free; and although nuts are not a main ingredient, the label reports possible traces of nuts and peanuts, making it unsuitable for strict nut-free diets.

Quaker • 2 bars 55g each

porridge to go

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Porridge to go is a plant-based oat cereal bar that belongs to the breakfast cereals family (Cereals and potatoes / Breakfast cereals). It carries a Nutri-Score of C and is classified in NOVA group 4, reflecting its ultra-processed nature with added sugars, emulsifiers and several food additives. The bar offers 11 g of fiber per 100 g and relatively low fat, saturated fat and salt, but it also contains 14 g of sugars, 3.4 g of protein and allergens such as gluten, milk, soy and traces of nuts.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Added Sugars5.4 g

Fruits & Vegetables4.5 %

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average breakfast-cereal bar, porridge to go is lower in fat (7.8 g vs 8.97 g), saturated fat (1.1 g vs 2.5 g) and salt (0.55 g vs 1.77 g), higher in fiber (11 g vs 8.26 g) and carbohydrates (71 g vs 64 g), contains similar sugar levels (14 g vs 14.1 g), but provides less protein (6.2 g vs 10.2 g) and slightly more energy (396 kcal vs 389 kcal).

Ingredients

Wholegrain rolled oat flakes (34%), Wholegrain oat flour (16%), Oligofructose, Sunflower oil, Cereal crisps (Rice flour, Oat flour, Sugar, Calcium carbonate, Barley malt extract), Golden syrup, Humectant (Glycerol), Brown sugar, Modified starch, Strawberry pieces (1.8%) (Strawberry puree, Fructose glucose syrup, Glucose syrup, Sugar, Wheat fibre, RSPO Palm fat, Rice starch, Gelling agent (pectin), Acidity regulators (malic acid, citric acid), Carrot and pumpkin concentrates, Flavourings), Cranberry pieces (1.8%) (Cranberries, Pineapple syrup and juice concentrate, Rice flour), Almond flour, Skimmed milk powder, Salt, Emulsiher (Soy lecithin), Antioxidant (Tocopherol rich extract), Raising agent (Sodium bicarbonate), Calcium carbonate, Natural berry flavouring with other natural flavourings. Allergy Advice: For allergens, see ingredients in bold. May contain other nuts and peanut.

84%

35%

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