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

Maltesers include refined sugar, glucose syrup, malt extract, palm oil, palm kernel oil, soy lecithin as an emulsifier, raising agents (E341, E500, E501), a glazing agent (E440) and pectins, all of which are typical of heavily industrial‑processed foods, leading to a NOVA 4 rating.

How do the sugar and salt levels in Maltesers affect people with diabetes or high blood pressure?

With 53 g of sugar per 100 g, Maltesers can cause rapid spikes in blood glucose, making them unsuitable as a regular snack for diabetes management, while the 0.39 g of salt per 100 g modestly adds to daily sodium intake and may exacerbate hypertension if consumed frequently.

Is Maltesers suitable for vegan, keto, halal, or gluten‑free diets?

No; Maltesers contain milk powder, milk fat, lactose and wheat flour/gluten, so they are not vegan or gluten‑free, their high carbohydrate content conflicts with keto guidelines, and the presence of animal‑derived dairy means they are not halal without specific certification.

Mars • 192,5 g

Maltesers

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Maltesers are milk chocolate candies with a malted crunchy filling, sold by Mars in a 192.5 g plastic bag. They belong to the Sugary snacks group and carry a Nutri‑Score of E, a NOVA 4 classification, and contain 24 g of fat, 15 g of saturated fat, 53 g of sugars and 0.39 g of salt per 100 g, giving 500 kcal. While the product offers a notable protein content for a confectionery, its high fat, sugar and salt levels and extensive processing make it an occasional treat rather than a health‑focused option.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal500 kcal

Fat24 g

Saturated Fat15 g

Carbohydrates62 g

Sugars53 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average candy in its category, Maltesers contain about the same amount of sugar but roughly double the fat and saturated fat, slightly more salt, and deliver about 35 % more calories per 100 g.

Ingredients

Sucre, lait écrémé en poudre beurre de cacao, sirop de glucose, extrait de malt d'orge, pâte de cacao, matière grasse du lait, lactose petit-lait en poudre, matière grasse de palme, huile de palmiste, émulsifiant (lécithine de soja), farine de blé, poudres à lever (E341, E500, E501), gluten de blé, agent d'enrobage (pectines), sel, extrait naturel de vanille.

84%

35%

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