Why is M&Ms Crispy classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The candy undergoes multiple industrial steps, including coating, flavoring, and the use of refined sugars, vegetable fats, and emulsifiers, which places it in NOVA group 4. Its additive list includes colorants (E100, E120, E133, E160a, E160e, E170), stabilizers (E322, E322i, E414), a glazing agent (E903), and a glazing wax (carnauba), all of which are typical of highly processed foods.

How does the sugar and saturated‑fat content of M&Ms Crispy affect people with diabetes or high blood pressure?

With 57 g of sugar per 100 g, the product can cause rapid spikes in blood glucose, which is problematic for diabetics. Its 14 g of saturated fat contributes to elevated LDL cholesterol, a risk factor for hypertension and cardiovascular disease, so regular consumption is not advisable for those managing blood pressure.

Is M&Ms Crispy suitable for vegan, gluten‑free, or keto diets?

No – the candy contains milk powder and whey permeate, so it is not vegan, and it also lists milk as an allergen. Although no wheat ingredients are declared, gluten is listed among allergens, indicating possible contamination, so it cannot be considered gluten‑free. The high carbohydrate content (68 g per 100 g) and substantial sugars make it unsuitable for a ketogenic diet.

M&ms • 340 g

M&ms crispy

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

M&Ms Crispy is a chocolate‑coated rice crisp candy marketed as a sweet snack, containing milk powder, palm oils, cocoa, and a blend of colorants and flavorings. Its nutritional profile is characterised by high sugar (57 g per 100 g), high total fat (21 g) with saturated fat at 14 g, moderate salt (0.34 g), low fiber, and it carries a Nutri‑Score of E and a NOVA group of 4, indicating an ultra‑processed product. The formulation includes common allergens such as milk and soy, as well as several additives (E100, E120, E133, E160a, E160e, E170, E322, E322i, E414, E903), making it unsuitable for vegans and for consumers avoiding palm‑derived ingredients or certain colorants.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal484 kcal

Fat21 g

Saturated Fat14 g

Carbohydrates68 g

Sugars57 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average sweet‑snack, M&Ms Crispy contains about 7 g more sugar, roughly double the typical fat content, and almost twice the saturated fat per 100 g, while its salt level is slightly lower but its energy value is markedly higher.

Ingredients

Sucre, pâte de cacao, farine de riz (9.2%), lait écrémé en poudre, beurre de cacao, matière grasse de palmiste, matière grasse de palme, amidon, perméat de lactosérum (lait), matière grasse du lait, sirop de glucose, matière grasse de karité, extrait de malt d'orge, stabilisant (gomme arabique), sel, dextrine. emulsifiant (lécithine de soja), dextrose, agent d'enrobage (cire de carnauba), colorants, arôme, huile De palmiste. (Peut contenir: cacahuètes, amandes, noisettes). N Gepofte rijst (16%) in nekchocolade (55%) in een gekleurd suikerlaagje. Ingrediënten: suiker, cacaomassa, rijstemeel (9.2%). magere melkpoeder, cacaoboter, palmpitvet, palmvet, zetmeel, weipermeaat (melk), botervet melk), glucosestroop, sheavet, gerstemoutextract, stabilisator (Arabische gom), zout, dextrine, emuigator (sojalecithine), dextrose, glansmiddel (carnaubawas), kleurstoffen, aroma, palmpitolie. (Kan bevatten: pinda's, amandelen, hazelnoten). *E100, E120, E133, E160a, E160e, E170. [FR] Le chocolat au lait contient des matières grasses végétales en plus du beurre de cacao. NO Melkchocolade bevat naast cacaoboter ook andere plantaardige vetten. Mars Wrigley Confectionery, 3 Chemin de la Sandlach. CS 10036-67 501 Haguenau Cedex-00969 320 680. www.marsfrance.fr [NO] Mars Nederland B.V., Postbus 81, 5460 AB Veghel 0900 2356277, www.mars.com FR 340g

84%

35%

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