Why is Jaffa Cakes The Original Twin Pack classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The product is labelled NOVA 4 because it includes multiple refined ingredients and food‑grade additives such as emulsifiers (E476, soy lecithin), acidity regulators (E331, sodium citrates), a colourant (E100 curcumin), humectant (E422 glycerine), raising agents (E450i, E503ii, E500ii) and a natural flavouring. These components are typical of industrially formulated confectionery and contribute to its ultra‑processed status.

How does the high sugar content in this product affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With roughly 51 g of sugars per 100 g, the snack can cause rapid spikes in blood glucose, making it unsuitable for managing diabetes, and the added sugars contribute to increased caloric intake, which may exacerbate weight‑related hypertension. Although its salt level is low, the overall glycaemic load outweighs any benefit for blood‑pressure control.

Based on its ingredients, is this product suitable for vegan, gluten‑free, or other restrictive diets?

No. The formulation contains milk‑derived butter oil, whole egg, wheat flour (gluten), and soy lecithin, all of which are allergens and conflict with vegan, gluten‑free, and many allergen‑free dietary regimes.

McVitie's • 20 cakes

Jaffa Cakes The Original Twin Pack

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Jaffa Cakes The Original Twin Pack is a sweet snack that falls under the Sugary snacks category of the French PNNS classification. It carries a Nutri‑Score of E and is placed in NOVA group 4, reflecting its ultra‑processed nature and a high sugar content of about 51 g per 100 g. While it offers low salt, modest fiber and some protein, the product is dominated by sugars and refined carbohydrates, limiting its overall nutritional benefit.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

high

Salt

low

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Added Sugars62.2 g

Fruits & Vegetables2.7 %

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average snack, this Jaffa Cakes twin pack contains about 51 g of sugars per 100 g, almost double the category average, while its fat (8.5 g), saturated fat (3.8 g) and salt (0.28 g) are well below typical snack levels.

Ingredients

Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Dark Chocolate (19%) [Sugar, Cocoa Mass, Vegetable Fats (Palm, Shea), Butter Oil (Milk), Cocoa Butter, Emulsifiers (Soya Lecithin, E476), Natural Flavouring], Sugar, Flour (Wheat Flour, Calcium, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Whole Egg, Water, Dextrose, Concentrated Orange Juice, Glucose Syrup, Vegetable Oils (Sunflower, Palm), Humectant (Glycerine), Acid (Citric Acid), Gelling Agent (Pectin), Raising Agents (Disodium Diphosphate, Ammonium Bicarbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Dried Whole Egg, Acidity Regulator (Sodium Citrates), Natural Orange Flavouring, Colour (Curcumin), Emulsifier (Soya Lecithin).

84%

35%

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