Why is Sweet Smokey BBQ Chicken Style Pieces classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

It is classified as NOVA 4 because the formulation relies on multiple isolated ingredients and processing aids rather than whole foods; the label lists four food‑grade additives, potassium lactate (E326), potassium acetate (E261), citric acid (E330) and agar (E406), and also includes flavourings, smoke flavourings, burnt sugar and smoked salt, all of which contribute to its processed status.

How do the sugar and salt levels in this product affect diabetic or hypertensive diets?

With 6.4 g of sugars and 1.22 g of salt per 100 g, the product adds a noticeable carbohydrate load that can raise blood glucose, making it less suitable for strict diabetic meal plans, while the moderate salt amount is lower than the average for meat alternatives but may still contribute to overall sodium intake for hypertension sufferers if consumed in large portions.

Based on its ingredient list, is Sweet Smokey BBQ Chicken Style Pieces suitable for vegan, keto, halal, or gluten‑free diets?

The product is certified vegan and contains no animal‑derived ingredients, but it includes wheat and wheat gluten, so it is not gluten‑free; its carbohydrate (13 g) and added sugars make it unsuitable for a strict keto diet, and because the flavourings are not specified as halal‑certified, it cannot be confirmed as halal.

Squeaky Bean • 130g

Sweet Smokey BBQ Chicken Style Pieces

Meat Alternatives

Product Insights

Sweet Smokey BBQ Chicken Style Pieces from Squeaky Bean are a vegan, plant‑based meat analogue that aims to mimic chicken nuggets with a sweet and smoky barbecue flavor. The product carries a Nutri‑Score of C, delivers a high 20 g of protein per 100 g while containing 9.3 g of fat, 6.4 g of sugars and 1.22 g of salt, and includes added sugars and four listed additives (E326, E261, E330, E406) plus gluten from wheat. It falls into the ultra‑processed NOVA 4 category, meaning the ingredient list is heavily formulated, which may be a concern for those seeking minimally processed foods despite its plant‑based protein profile.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

moderate

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal224 kcal

Fat9.3 g

Saturated Fat1.1 g

Carbohydrates13 g

Sugars6.4 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average meat‑alternative (per 100 g), this product provides considerably more protein (20 g vs 14.6 g) and less salt (1.22 g vs 2.02 g), but its sugar content is markedly higher (6.4 g vs 1.9 g) and its energy (224 kcal) exceeds the typical 192 kcal.

Ingredients

WATER, VEGETABLE PROTEIN (16%) (WHEAT, PEA), SWEET & SMOKEY BBQ FLAVOUR GLAZE (9%) (SUGAR, TOMATO POWDER, DRIED GLUCOSE SYRUP, RICE FLOUR, SALT, GARLIC POWDER, ONION POWDER, SPICES (SMOKED PAPRIKA, BLACK PEPPER, CINNAMON, NUTMEG), BURNT SUGAR, FLAVOURING, SMOKE FLAVOURING, SMOKED SALT), SUNFLOWER OIL, WHEAT GLUTEN, PEA PROTEIN, PRESERVATIVES: POTASSIUM LACTATE, POTASSIUM ACETATE; CITRUS FIBRE, POTATO PROTEIN, NATURAL FLAVOURINGS, GELLING AGENT: AGAR; DEXTROSE, ACIDITY REGULATOR: CITRIC ACID: SALT.

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