Why is Jaffa Cakes classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The product is labelled NOVA 4 because it combines many refined ingredients such as glucose‑fructose syrup, added sugars, multiple emulsifiers, colourants and flavourings that are industrially processed; its additive list includes emulsifiers E476 and soy lecithin, acidifier E330, colour E100 (curcumin), and several raising agents (E503ii, E450i, E500ii).

How does the high sugar content in Jaffa Cakes affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 52.6 g of sugars per 100 g, Jaffa Cakes can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes, making them unsuitable for diabetes management, while the low salt (0.25 g) is less problematic for hypertension but the overall high calorie and sugar load may still contribute to weight gain and related blood‑pressure issues.

Is the palm oil used in Jaffa Cakes a concern for sustainability?

Yes, the product contains palm oil within its vegetable fat blend, and the EcoScore assessment flags palm oil as a threat to endangered species, leading to a negative adjustment in the overall environmental score.

McVitie's

Jaffa Cakes

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Jaffa Cakes are a sweet snack made by McVitie's and fall under the "Sugary snacks" and "Biscuits and cakes" categories. They carry a Nutri-Score of E and belong to NOVA group 4, indicating an ultra‑processed product with very high added sugars (52.6 g per 100 g) and moderate fat (7.9 g) while salt is low (0.25 g). The recipe includes common allergens such as eggs, gluten, milk and soy, and uses several additives including emulsifiers (E476, soy lecithin), citric acid (E330) and colour (E100).

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

high

Salt

low

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal379 kcal

Fat7.9 g

Saturated Fat4 g

Carbohydrates70.9 g

Sugars52.6 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average snack, Jaffa Cakes contain far more sugar (52.6 g vs 28.98 g per 100 g) while having lower fat, saturated fat and salt levels.

Ingredients

Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Plain 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 (8% Orange Juice Equivalent), Glucose Syrup, Vegetable Oils (Sunflower, Palm), Humectant (Glycerine), Gelling Agent (Pectin), Acid (Citric Acid), Raising Agents (Ammonium Bicarbonate, Disodium Diphosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Dried Whole Egg, Acidity Regulator (Sodium Citrates), Natural Orange Flavouring, Colour (Curcumin), Emulsifier (Soya Lecithin). For allergens, including cereals containing gluten, see ingredients in bold.

84%

35%

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