Why is Mediterranean Inspired Couscous classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

It receives the NOVA 4 label because the ingredient list combines basic cereal, processed vegetables and several industrial additives; the listed additives are paprika extract (E160c) for colour, lactic acid (E270) as an acidity regulator, citric acid (E330) and ferrous gluconate (E579) as a stabiliser, all typical of ultra‑processed foods.

How does the salt content of this couscous affect a hypertensive or sodium‑restricted diet?

With 0.5 g of salt per 100 g (about 0.7 g per 140 g serving), the product contributes a moderate amount of sodium, so people on low‑salt diets should count it toward their daily limit and balance it with other low‑sodium foods.

Is Mediterranean Inspired Couscous suitable for vegan, gluten‑free or other strict dietary regimes?

The product contains durum wheat semolina and barley‑derived flavourings, so it is not gluten‑free; it uses only plant‑derived ingredients and no animal‑derived fats, making it vegetarian and technically vegan, although it is not certified as vegan on the label.

Tesco • 110g

Mediterranean Inspired Couscous

Composite Foods

Product Insights

Mediterranean Inspired Couscous is a ready‑to‑heat, composite one‑dish meal that belongs to the ‘Composite foods’ group of the PNNS classification. It carries a Nutri‑Score of B, with low total fat (1.5 g), low saturated fat (0.43 g), modest salt (0.5 g), low sugars (2.3 g), decent fiber (2.5 g) and 5.6 g of protein per 100 g, providing a relatively balanced macro profile. However, it is an ultra‑processed product (NOVA 4) that includes additives such as paprika extract (E160c), lactic acid (E270), citric acid (E330) and ferrous gluconate (E579), contains palm oil and gluten from durum wheat, and is only labelled vegetarian, not vegan.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal158 kcal

Energy667 kJ

Fat3.8 g

Saturated Fat1.5 g

Cholesterol0 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with average prepared‑meal values, this couscous is markedly lower in fat (1.5 g vs 5.94 g), saturated fat (0.43 g vs 1.94 g) and salt (0.5 g vs 3.55 g), while delivering slightly more fiber (2.5 g vs 2.08 g), higher carbohydrates (25.9 g vs 23 g) and calories (202 kcal vs 174.6 kcal) but less protein (5.6 g vs 7.2 g).

Ingredients

Couscous (Durum Wheat Semolina), Tomato Powder, Dried Tomato, Flavourings (contain Barley), Palm Oil, Sugar, Dried Onion, Dried Black Olives [Black Olive, Salt, Acidity Regulator (Lactic Acid), Stabiliser (Ferrous Gluconate)], Salt, Dried Herbs, Dried Garlic, Colour (Paprika Extract), Citric Acid. V Suitable for vegetarians

84%

35%

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