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

The dish is labeled NOVA 4 because it contains ingredients that are not used in their raw form, such as added sugar, modified corn starch to thicken the sauce, and citric acid (E330) as an acidity regulator. These processed components, together with concentrated lemon juice, move the product into the ultra‑processed category despite being plant‑based.

How does the sugar content in Ratatouille Niçoise affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 4.7 g of sugar per 100 g, the product exceeds the average sugar level for similar meals and can cause a noticeable rise in blood glucose, which is a concern for people managing diabetes. The relatively low salt (0.96 g per 100 g) is favorable for hypertension, but the sugar impact outweighs the benefit for those needing strict glycemic control.

Is Ratatouille Niçoise suitable for a vegan diet?

All listed ingredients, including the vegetable mix, tomato purée, rapeseed oil, extra‑virgin olive oil, and citric acid, are plant‑derived, making the product compatible with a vegan diet. The only additive, citric acid, is also vegan, so the dish can be consumed by vegans without concern.

Epicure • 375 g

Ratatouille Niçoise

Composite Foods

Product Insights

Ratatouille Niçoise is a ready‑to‑eat plant‑based one‑dish meal classified under the Composite foods and One‑dish meals groups. Per 100 g it delivers 46 kcal, 1.3 g fat, 0.1 g saturated fat, 4.7 g sugars, 0.96 g salt, 1.5 g fiber, 6.3 g carbohydrates and 1.7 g protein, offering low energy and fat but a sugar level that exceeds the typical category average and modest protein and fiber. The product carries a Nutri‑Score of A but is placed in NOVA group 4, indicating an ultra‑processed formulation that includes added sugar, modified corn starch and the additive citric acid (E330).

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal46 kcal

Fat1.3 g

Saturated Fat0.1 g

Carbohydrates6.3 g

Sugars4.7 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average prepared vegetable dish, this ratatouille contains far fewer calories (46 kcal vs 175 kcal), much less fat (1.3 g vs 5.9 g) and salt (0.96 g vs 3.55 g), but its sugar content is higher (4.7 g vs 3.6 g) and it provides considerably less protein (1.7 g vs 7.2 g) and fiber (1.5 g vs 2.1 g).

Ingredients

Vegetables in variable proportion (79%) (Courgettes, Tomato Pulp (Tomatoes, Tomato Purée, Acidity Regulator: Citric Acid), Onions, Aubergines, Peppers), Tomato Purée (12%), Sugar, Modified Corn Starch, Salt, Rapeseed Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil (0.5%), Concentrated Lemon Juice, Garlic (0.2%), Thyme, Pepper.

84%

35%

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