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

Maltesers contain refined sugar, malt extract, cocoa paste, skimmed milk powder and several food-industry ingredients such as emulsifiers, raising agents and glazing agents, which are typical of ultra-processed foods; the listed additives are E322 (soy lecithin), E341 (phosphates), E440 (pectin), E500 and E501 (baking-soda compounds).

How does the sugar and salt content in Maltesers affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 53 g of sugar per 100 g, Maltesers deliver a high glycemic load that can quickly raise blood glucose, making them unsuitable for tight diabetic control, while the 0.42 g of salt per 100 g adds to daily sodium intake and can aggravate hypertension.

Is the palm oil in Maltesers a concern for sustainability?

Yes, the product includes palm fat and palm-kernel oil, ingredients linked to deforestation and habitat loss for threatened species; the Eco-Score flags palm oil as a negative factor, indicating a sustainability issue.

Maltesers • 192,5 g

Maltesers

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Maltesers are chocolate-coated malted confections that belong to the sugary snack and sweets categories (PNNS groups: Sugary snacks, Sweets). The product carries a Nutri-Score of E and is classified in NOVA 4, indicating an ultra-processed food with very high sugar (53 g per 100 g), high saturated fat (15 g per 100 g) and moderate salt (0.42 g per 100 g). It contains common allergens such as milk, gluten and soy, and includes palm-derived fats, which raise both health and sustainability concerns.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal503 kcal

Fat25 g

Saturated Fat15 g

Carbohydrates61 g

Sugars53 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average sugary snack, Maltesers have a similar sugar level but roughly twice the saturated fat (15 g vs about 7 g) and slightly higher salt (0.42 g vs 0.36 g) per 100 g, resulting in higher overall energy.

Ingredients

Sucre, _LAIT_ écrémé en poudre, beurre de caca, sirop de glucose, extrait de malt d'_ORGE_, pâte de cacao, matière grasse de _LAIT_, _LACTOSE_, petit-_LAIT_ en poudre, matière grasse de palme, huile de palmiste, émulsifiant (lécithine de _SOJA_), farine de _BLE_, poudre à lever (E341, E500, E501), _GLUTEN_ de blé, agent d'enrobage (pectine), sel, extrait naturel de vanille

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.