Why is Broccoli and Stilton Soup classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The soup is classified as NOVA 4 because it undergoes multiple industrial processes such as canning, the addition of refined starches, dairy concentrates, and fortified wheat flour, and it contains added non‑nutrient substances. Its ingredient list includes a colour additive (E160aiv, algal carotenes) and a generic flavouring, both of which are typical of ultra‑processed foods.

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

With only 0.9 g of sugar per 100 g, the soup adds minimal glucose load, making it generally acceptable for diabetic meal planning when portion‑controlled. However, the 0.44 g of salt per 100 g contributes around 180 mg of sodium, which can raise blood pressure if consumed frequently, so hypertensive individuals should limit portion size or choose a lower‑salt alternative.

Is this soup suitable for vegan, gluten‑free, or dairy‑free diets?

No. The product contains dairy ingredients such as Blue Stilton cheese, whey protein concentrate, yogurt, double cream, and butter, all of which introduce milk allergens, so it is not dairy‑free or vegan. It also includes wheat flour, which introduces gluten, making it unsuitable for gluten‑free diets.

Tesco

Broccoli and Stilton Soup

Fruits And Vegetables

Product Insights

Broccoli and Stilton Soup is a ready‑to‑heat canned soup marketed by Tesco, classified in the fruits‑and‑vegetables and soups PNNS groups and bearing a vegetarian label despite containing dairy ingredients. It carries a Nutri‑Score of B and falls into NOVA group 4, indicating an ultra‑processed product, with a modest 50 kcal per 100 g, low sugars (0.9 g) and saturated fat (1 g) but a low to moderate salt level (0.44 g) and includes additives such as a colour (E160aiv) and flavourings. The soup provides 1.8 g of protein and 0.5 g of fiber per 100 g, offers calcium‑rich dairy components that trigger milk allergens, and contains gluten from wheat flour, making it unsuitable for vegan, milk‑allergic, or gluten‑free diets.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal50 kcal

Fat2.5 g

Saturated Fat1 g

Carbohydrates4.9 g

Sugars0.9 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average canned vegetable soup, this product contains substantially less sugar (0.9 g vs 3.73 g) and salt (0.44 g vs 1.72 g), slightly less total fat (2.5 g vs 2.65 g), and a marginally higher saturated fat (1 g vs 0.87 g).

Ingredients

Water, Broccoli (13%), Blue Stilton® Cheese (Milk) (3%), Modified Maize Starch, Spinach, Whey Protein Concentrate (Milk), Yogurt (Milk), Wheat Flour [Wheat Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin], Rapeseed Oil, Potato Starch, Double Cream (Milk), Butter (Milk), Salt, Lemon Concentrate, White Pepper, Leek Powder, Onion Powder Yeast Extract, Garlic Powder, Flavouring, Nutmeg, Colour Algal Carotenes)

84%

35%

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