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

The biscuit is made from refined wheat flour, palm‑derived vegetable fats, butter oil and a chocolate coating that requires multiple industrial steps such as refining, emulsifying and adding preservatives; these processes place it in the ultra‑processed NOVA 4 category. Its label lists five additives, chiefly E476 (poly‑glyceryl‑estearate) and soy lecithin as emulsifiers, plus E296 (malic acid) and the raising agents E500 ii (sodium bicarbonate) and E503 ii (ammonium bicarbonate).

How does the sugar and salt content in Digestives Dark chocolate affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 27.6 g of sugar and 0.88 g of salt per 100 g, the biscuits can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes and contribute to excess sodium intake, which may raise blood pressure; people managing diabetes or hypertension should limit consumption and consider lower‑sugar, low‑salt alternatives.

Based on the ingredients, is Digestives Dark chocolate suitable for vegan, gluten‑free, or keto diets?

The product is not vegan because it contains butter oil (derived from milk) and is not gluten‑free due to wheat flour; its carbohydrate content (60.8 g) and high sugar level also make it unsuitable for strict keto plans.

McVitie's • 266 g

Digestives Dark chocolate

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Digestives Dark chocolate are chocolate‑coated digestives biscuits marketed by McVitie’s, belonging to the sugary‑snacks family. They carry a Nutri‑Score of E and are classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4), reflecting high levels of fat (24.2 g), saturated fat (12.8 g) and added sugars, while providing 4.2 g of fiber per 100 g. The product also contains gluten, milk and soy allergens, and its packaging is a mixed‑plastic packet with limited recyclability.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal495 kcal

Fat24.2 g

Saturated Fat12.8 g

Carbohydrates60.8 g

Sugars27.6 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average snack, this dark‑chocolate digestives biscuit contains more fat (24.2 g vs 17.6 g), higher saturated fat (12.8 g vs 7.8 g) and more calories (495 kcal vs 418 kcal), while its sugar (27.6 g), salt (0.88 g) and protein (6 g) are close to or below typical values.

Ingredients

Flour 39% (_Wheat_ Flour, Calcium, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Plain Chocolate 30% (Sugar, Cocoa Mass, Vegetable Fats (Palm, Sal and/or Shea), Butter Oil (_Milk_), Cocoa Butter, Emulsifiers (_Soya_ Lecithin, E476), Natural Flavouring), Vegetable Oil (Palm), Wholemeal _Wheat_ Flour 9%, Sugar, Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Raising Agents (Sodium Bicarbonate, Malic Acid, Ammonium Bicarbonate), Salt

84%

35%

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