Why is Smooth Peanut Butter classified as a processed food (NOVA 3) and which ingredients contribute to this rating?

The product is made from roasted peanuts but also contains added palm oil, cane sugar and sea salt, and it undergoes grinding and emulsification; these steps and added ingredients move it into NOVA group 3, indicating a processed rather than minimally processed food.

How does the high fat and saturated fat content in Smooth Peanut Butter affect cardiovascular health?

With 53 g of total fat and 10 g of saturated fat per 100 g, the spread can raise LDL cholesterol if eaten in large amounts, so it should be consumed in moderation and balanced with foods low in saturated fat to support a heart‑healthy diet.

Is the peanut ingredient in Smooth Peanut Butter a concern for allergy sufferers, and what environmental impact does the palm oil have?

Peanuts are a major allergen, so anyone with a peanut allergy must avoid this product. The palm oil used as a stabiliser is linked to deforestation and habitat loss, making the ingredient a sustainability concern for environmentally conscious consumers.

Co-op, The Co-operative Group Limited • 340g

Smooth Peanut Butter

Cereals And Potatoes

Product Insights

Smooth Peanut Butter is a legume based spread made primarily from roasted peanuts, certified vegan and packaged in a glass jar with a polypropylene cap. It carries a Nutri-Score of C and falls into NOVA group 3, reflecting its processed nature due to added palm oil, cane sugar and sea salt. Nutritionally it delivers very high protein (28 g per 100 g) and fiber (8.2 g) but also unusually high total fat (53 g) and saturated fat (10 g), with moderate sugar (5.6 g) and salt (1.05 g), which may be a concern for calorie dense or heart healthy diets.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

moderate

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal632 kcal

Fat53 g

Saturated Fat10 g

Carbohydrates6.3 g

Sugars5.6 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average spread, Smooth Peanut Butter contains dramatically more total fat (53 g vs 15 g) and saturated fat (10 g vs 2.8 g), higher protein (28 g vs 13.8 g) and fiber (8.2 g vs 6.7 g), while its sugar (5.6 g) is slightly above average and its salt (1.05 g) is below the category average.

Ingredients

Peanuts (95%), palm oil, cane sugar, sea salt

84%

35%

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Smooth Peanut Butter.

Aldi

280g