Why is Cannellini beans in water classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The product is labelled NOVA 4 because, beyond the simple bean and water base, it includes processed ingredients such as a firming agent (calcium chloride, listed as E509) and an antioxidant (ascorbic acid, E300), which are added during manufacturing to improve texture and shelf‑life, elevating it to the ultra‑processed category.

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

With only 0.7 g of sugar and 0.02 g of salt per 100 g, the beans provide a very low glycemic and sodium load, making them suitable for both diabetic and hypertensive diets when consumed in standard portions.

Based on the ingredients, is this product suitable for strict diets like Vegan, Keto, Halal, or Gluten‑Free?

The ingredient list contains only plant‑based components and recognized food‑grade additives, so the product is vegan and gluten‑free; it is generally acceptable for halal diets, but its carbohydrate content (12.1 g per 100 g) makes it unsuitable for a strict keto regime.

Essential Waitrose & Partners

Cannellini beans in water

Cereals And Potatoes

Product Insights

Cannellini beans in water is a canned legume product offered by Essential Waitrose & Partners, composed mainly of cannellini beans, water, calcium chloride as a firming agent, and ascorbic acid as an antioxidant. It belongs to the Legumes group, carries a Nutri‑Score of B and is classified as a NOVA 4 ultra‑processed food, offering low fat (0.6 g), low saturated fat (0.2 g), low salt (0.02 g) and low sugars (0.7 g) per 100 g, while providing 5.6 g of fiber and 6.2 g of protein. The product’s strengths are its minimal sugar and salt and its vegan label, but the presence of additives and its ultra‑processed status, together with a protein level below the average for similar foods, are potential drawbacks.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

low

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal90 kcal

Fat0.6 g

Saturated Fat0.2 g

Carbohydrates12.1 g

Sugars0.7 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with average packaged foods, this canned bean contains dramatically less sugar (0.7 g vs 4.09 g), fat (0.6 g vs 15.16 g) and salt (0.02 g vs 2.32 g) per 100 g, though its protein (6.2 g) is also lower than the typical 13.8 g.

Ingredients

Cannellini beans, water, firming agent (calcium chloride), antioxidant (ascorbic acid) STORAGE: Once opened transfer contents to a non-metallic container, cover, refrigerate and use within 2 days. For best before end date see end of can. NUTRITION TYPICAL VALUES AS DRAINED 18885 PER PER 1/2 100g CAN Energy kl 379 454 Energy kcal 90 108 Fat 0.69 0.7g

84%

35%

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