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

The biscuit is made from refined wheat flours, added sugars, palm oil and multiple processing aids, which places it in the ultra‑processed NOVA 4 category. It contains emulsifiers such as soy lecithin (E322) and polyglycerol polyricinoleate (E476), raising agents like sodium carbonate (E500 i), malic acid (E296) and ammonium carbonate (E503 i), as well as other food‑grade additives.

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

With 26.6 g of sugar per 100 g, the biscuit can cause a rapid rise in blood glucose and should be limited by people with diabetes. The salt level is relatively low at 0.83 g per 100 g, but still contributes to daily sodium intake, so hypertensive individuals should consume it only occasionally.

Is the presence of gluten in this product a concern for people with celiac disease?

Yes. The ingredient list includes wheat flour and whole‑wheat flour, which contain gluten, making the biscuit unsuitable for anyone with celiac disease or non‑celiac gluten sensitivity.

McVitie's • 200g

Digestive - Dark Chocolate

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Digestive - Dark Chocolate is a dark‑chocolate‑covered digestive biscuit marketed as a sugary snack, sold in a 200 g package. It delivers 496 kcal per 100 g, with high fat (24.3 g) and saturated fat (12.9 g), moderate sugar (26.6 g, slightly below the category average), low salt (0.83 g) and a good amount of fiber (4.3 g). The product carries a Nutri‑Score of E, is classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4), contains several additives and palm oil, and is not suitable for people who must avoid gluten.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal496 kcal

Fat24.3 g

Saturated Fat12.9 g

Carbohydrates61.1 g

Sugars26.6 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with typical sweet snack biscuits, this product has higher fat (24.3 g vs 17.65 g) and saturated fat (12.9 g vs 7.8 g) but lower sugar (26.6 g vs 28.98 g) and salt (0.83 g vs 1.98 g), resulting in a higher energy content of 496 kcal per 100 g.

Ingredients

Farine (39%) (farine de blé, Calcium, Fer, niacine, Thiamine), Chocolat (30%) [sucre, masse de cacao, graisses végétales (palme, karité), beurre pâtissier (lait), beurre de cacao, émulsifiants (lécithine de soja, E476), arôme naturel], huile végétale (palme), farine de blé complète (9%), sucre, sirop de glucose-fructose, poudres à lever (carbonate de sodium, acide malique, carbonate d'ammonium), sel.

84%

35%

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