Why is the Mars ice‑cream bar classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The bar is made from refined sugars, glucose syrup, dairy concentrates and multiple emulsifiers and stabilisers, which are characteristic of industrial food formulations; it includes additives such as lecithin (E322/E322i), calcium salts (E407), alginate (E410), carrageenan (E412) and mono‑ and diglycerides (E471).

How does the sugar content in this ice‑cream bar affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 24 g of sugars per 100 g, the bar can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes, making it unsuitable for people managing diabetes, while its low salt (0.18 g) is not a major concern for hypertension but the high saturated‑fat level may still impact cardiovascular health.

Based on the ingredients, is this product suitable for vegan, gluten‑free, or keto diets?

No; the product contains skimmed milk, lactose and other dairy ingredients, gluten from malt extract, and a high carbohydrate load, so it is neither vegan nor gluten‑free and exceeds the carbohydrate limits of a keto diet.

Mars • 18 x 40 g

Mars

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Mars offers a frozen ice‑cream bar packaged as 18 × 40 g portions, totaling 720 g, and is positioned as a sweet snack within the sugary snacks and biscuits‑and‑cakes families. Per 100 g it provides 266 kcal, 24 g of sugars, 14 g of fat with 8.5 g of saturated fat, 13.1 g of protein and only 0.18 g of salt, earning a Nutri‑Score of D and a NOVA level of 4, indicating an ultra‑processed product that contains several additives (E322, E322i, E407, E410, E412, E471) and common allergens such as milk, gluten and soy. While it delivers a decent protein boost from dairy, its high sugar and saturated‑fat content make it more of an indulgent treat than a health‑focused choice.

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 frozen snack, this Mars ice‑cream bar contains less sugar, fat and salt than typical products but has higher saturated fat and considerably more protein.

Ingredients

Lait écrémé (17%), sucre, sirop de glucose, crème légère (lait), eau, lait écrémé concentré sucré, matière grasse de noix de coco, beurre de cacao, pâte de cacao, matière grasse de palme, lait écrémé en poudre, extrait de malt d'orge, matière grasse du lait, lactose, perméat de lactosérum (lait), cacao maigre, émulsifiants (lécithine de soja, E471), stabilisants (E407, E410, E412), sel, extrait de vanille, arôme naturel (lait). (Peut contenir: cacahuète, amande, noisette). Conserver à-18 °C FB Mars Wrigley Confectionery, 3 Chemin de la Sandlach, CS 10036-67 501 Haguenau Cedex - 0969 320 680, www.marsfrance.fr 18 x 40 g e = 720 g/ 18 x 49.5 ml e = 891 ml

84%

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