Why is Spanish Style Grains classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

It is classified as NOVA 4 because the grains are cooked, blended and combined with added components beyond the base cereals, such as glucose syrup (a sweetener), salt, yeast extract (flavour enhancer), rapeseed oil and paprika powders, all of which result from multiple processing steps that move the product into the ultra‑processed category.

Is the barley in Spanish Style Grains a concern for people with gluten intolerance?

Yes. Black barley naturally contains gluten, so the presence of barley means the product is not suitable for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

How does the sugar and salt content in Spanish Style Grains affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

The sugar level is low at 1.4 g per 100 g, which is generally compatible with diabetic meal planning, but the salt content is moderate at 1.2 g per 100 g, representing roughly 40 % of the WHO’s recommended daily limit and may be too high for strict hypertension management, so consumers should account for it within their total daily sodium intake.

Merchant Gourmet • 250g

Spanish Style Grains

Cereals And Potatoes

Product Insights

Spanish Style Grains is a ready‑to‑heat, plant‑based mix of whole‑grain brown rice, wheatberries, black barley and a tomato‑paprika blend, positioned in the Cereal and potatoes food group. It carries a Nutri‑Score of C and belongs to NOVA group 4, indicating an ultra‑processed product due to multiple cooking steps and the inclusion of added ingredients such as glucose syrup, salt and yeast extract. While it offers low sugar (1.4 g/100 g), decent fiber (4.3 g) and a variety of whole grains, it also contains moderate salt (1.2 g) and gluten from barley, which may be a drawback for low‑salt or gluten‑free diets.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal167 kcal

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average grain‑based dish (9 g sugars, 6.94 g fat, 165.93 g saturated fat and 2.96 g salt per 100 g), Spanish Style Grains delivers only 1.4 g sugars and 1.2 g salt, with modest fat levels, making its nutrient profile notably lower in sugar and salt than the typical category despite its ultra‑processed status.

Ingredients

Cooked Wholegrain Brown Rice (41%) (Water, Wholegrain Brown Rice), Cooked Wheatberries (22%) (Water, Wheatberries), Cooked Black Barley (14%) (Water, Barley), Tomato Paprika Paste (9%) (Water, Tomato Purée, Glucose Syrup, Salt, Yeast Extract, Ground Paprika, Paprika Flakes, Red Pepper Concentrate, Rapeseed Oil, Smoked Paprika), Red Pepper (8%), Onion (4%), Olive Oil.

84%

35%

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