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

It is deemed ultra-processed because it combines refined wheat flour, milk chocolate, palm oil, glucose-fructose syrup, and includes industrial leavening agents (raising agents) and added salt, all of which are characteristic of NOVA 4 foods that use multiple processed ingredients and additives.

How does the sugar and salt content of Digestives Milk Chocolate affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 28.5 g of sugar per 100 g, the biscuits can cause rapid blood-glucose spikes, making them unsuitable for strict diabetic meal plans, while the 0.93 g of salt, although lower than many snack averages, still adds to daily sodium intake and should be limited for people managing hypertension.

Is the palm oil used in Digestives Milk Chocolate a concern for sustainability or health?

Palm oil production is linked to deforestation and loss of biodiversity, which is reflected in the product's negative threatened-species adjustment, and nutritionally it adds saturated fat, contributing to the high saturated-fat content of the biscuits.

McVitie's • 266 g

Digestives Milk Chocolate

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Digestives Milk Chocolate are chocolate-coated digestive biscuits made by McVitie's, classified as a sugary snack and biscuit/cake item (pnns_groups: Sugary snacks, Biscuits and cakes). They belong to the ultra-processed NOVA 4 group, carry a Nutri-Score of E and an Eco-Score of E, and per 100 g provide 28.5 g of sugars, 12.4 g of saturated fat, 0.93 g of salt and 3 g of fiber, reflecting both high sugar/fat levels and a modest fiber contribution. The product contains milk and gluten allergens, includes palm oil which raises sustainability concerns, and is packaged in a mixed plastic packet that is not readily recyclable.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal496 kcal

Fat23.6 g

Saturated Fat12.4 g

Cholesterol0 g

Carbohydrates62.5 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with typical sugary snacks, these biscuits contain slightly less sugar (28.5 g vs 28.98 g per 100 g) and about half the salt (0.93 g vs 1.98 g), but they have markedly higher saturated fat (12.4 g vs 7.8 g) and a higher energy content (~495 kcal vs 418 kcal).

Ingredients

Flour, Milk Chocolate, Palm Oil, Wholemeal Wheat Flour, Sugar, Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Raising Agents, Salt.

84%

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Digestives Milk Chocolate.

McVitie's

200g