Why is Vegetable spring rolls classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

It is deemed ultra‑processed because the formulation relies on industrial ingredients such as fortified wheat flour, rice noodles, rapeseed oil and a blend of spices, all of which undergo multiple manufacturing steps; the only listed additive is E100 (turmeric extract), and the product also contains small amounts of calcium carbonate, iron, niacin and thiamin added during fortification.

How does the sugar and salt content in Vegetable spring rolls affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

Each 100 g portion provides 5.5 g of sugars, which can raise blood‑glucose levels and may require carbohydrate counting for diabetics, while the 1.04 g of salt contributes to daily sodium intake but is lower than many comparable snacks; nevertheless, people monitoring blood pressure should still account for this salt amount within their total daily limit.

Is the soy bean in this product a concern for people with soy allergy?

Yes, fermented soy bean is listed among the ingredients and is highlighted in the allergen information, so anyone with a soy allergy should avoid this product; the label also warns of celery, gluten (wheat) and may trigger reactions in those sensitivities.

Waitrose • 216g

Vegetable spring rolls

Composite Foods

Product Insights

The product is a vegetarian/vegan ready‑made vegetable spring roll from Waitrose, classified as a composite one‑dish meal. It carries a Nutri‑Score of C and belongs to the ultra‑processed NOVA 4 group, reflecting the inclusion of fortified wheat flour, rice noodles and a small amount of additive E100. Nutritionally it is high in fat (9.5 g), carbohydrates (37 g) and sugars (5.5 g) per 100 g, while salt and saturated fat are moderate to low, and it contains allergens celery, gluten and soy.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

moderate

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal259 kcal

Fat9.5 g

Saturated Fat0.6 g

Carbohydrates37.3 g

Sugars5.5 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average values for spring‑roll type meals, this product contains more fat (9.5 g vs 5.94 g), higher sugars (5.5 g vs 3.57 g) and calories (259 kcal vs 174.6 kcal), but lower salt (1.04 g vs 3.55 g) and saturated fat (0.6 g vs 1.94 g), while offering more fiber (3.7 g vs 2.08 g) and fewer protein (4.3 g vs 7.16 g).

Ingredients

Vegetables (39%) (bean sprouts, carrot, black fungus mushrooms, water chestnut, spring onion), fortified wheat flour (wheat flour, calcium carbonate, iron, niacin, thiamin), water, rapeseed oil, rice noodles (rice flour, water), ginger purée, garlic purée, sugar, salt, chopped coriander, red chilli, fermented soya bean, ground fennel, rice vinegar, white pepper, ground cassia, ground star anise, wheat, wheat flour, onion powder, cornflour, liquorice powder, ground cloves, mushroom extract, ground ginger, potato starch, yeast extract, carrot powder, dried parsley, celery extract, onion extract, parsley extract, turmeric extract

84%

35%

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