Why is Mars Ice Cream classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The bar is made from refined sugars, dairy concentrates, palm oil, cocoa butter and several industrial ingredients such as emulsifiers (soy lecithin E322, mono‑ and diglycerides E471, polyglycerol esters E477) and stabilisers, which together with multiple processing steps place it in the NOVA 4 category.

How does the sugar content of Mars Ice Cream impact a diabetic or weight‑management diet?

With 24 g of sugar per 100 g, the ice‑cream provides a high glycaemic load that can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes, making it unsuitable for strict diabetic control or calorie‑restricted weight‑loss plans unless consumed only in very small portions.

Is Mars Ice Cream suitable for vegan, gluten‑free, or low‑sodium diets?

No, the product contains skimmed milk, whey and lactose, so it is not vegan, and it includes barley malt extract, which introduces gluten, making it unsuitable for gluten‑free diets; however, its low salt (0.18 g/100 g) means it can fit a low‑sodium regimen if sugar intake is managed.

Mars • 41.8g

Mars Ice Cream

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Mars Ice Cream is an ice‑cream bar that falls under the Sugary snacks and Biscuits and cakes PNNS groups. It carries a Nutri‑Score of D and is classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4), reflecting its high content of added sugars (24 g/100 g), saturated fat (8.5 g/100 g) and low protein (3.1 g/100 g). While it offers a creamy texture and calcium from dairy, the product’s high sugar and saturated‑fat levels, presence of palm oil and several emulsifiers raise nutritional and sustainability concerns.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

low

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal266 kcal

Fat14 g

Saturated Fat8.5 g

Carbohydrates31 g

Sugars24 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average sugary snack, this ice‑cream bar contains less sugar (24 g vs 28.98 g) and less total fat (14 g vs 17.65 g) but has slightly more saturated fat (8.5 g vs 7.8 g) while its salt is far lower (0.18 g vs 1.98 g).

Ingredients

sucre, lait écrémé (15%), sirop de glucose, crème légère (lait), eau, lait écrémé concentré sucré, beurre de cacao, matière grasse de noix de coco, pâte de cacao, matière grasse de palme, lait écrémé en poudre, extrait de malt d'orge, matière grasse du lait, lactose, petit-lait en poudre, cacao maigre, émulsifiants (lécithine de soja, E471, E477), stabilisants*, sel, extrait naturel de vanille, arôme naturel.

84%

35%

Unlock What Your Food Doesn't Tell You

Scan this and millions of other food products to discover hidden positive & negative points, scores percentage, additives, allergens, and deeper product insights with the free NutrScan app.