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

The product falls into NOVA group 4 because its formulation includes multiple industrial ingredients and additives such as paprika extract (E160c), soy lecithin (E322/E322i), glycerol (E422), disodium diphosphate (E450/E450i), sodium bicarbonate (E500/E500ii) and ammonium bicarbonate (E503/E503ii), all of which are typical of highly processed foods.

How does the high sugar content in Mars Cookies affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 37 g of sugar per 100 g, the cookies can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes and are not advisable for people managing diabetes; although the salt level is lower than average, the overall high carbohydrate load still makes it a poor choice for strict hypertensive diets that require limited sugar and carbohydrate intake.

Based on the ingredients, is this product suitable for strict diets like vegan, keto, halal, or gluten‑free?

Mars Cookies are not vegan because they contain milk powder and whey; they are not gluten‑free due to wheat flour; the high carbohydrate and sugar levels make them unsuitable for keto diets; while they contain no pork, the presence of dairy means halal suitability cannot be confirmed without specific certification.

Mars • 162 g

Mars Cookies

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Mars Cookies are sweet snack biscuits classified under sugary snacks and biscuits and cakes, produced by Mars and available at B&M stores. They bear a Nutri-Score of E and are placed in NOVA group 4, reflecting an ultra‑processed product with high sugar (37 g), fat (20 g) and saturated fat (10 g) per 100 g, though their salt content is modest at 0.59 g. The cookies contain common allergens such as wheat gluten, milk and soy, and include palm oil, which raises sustainability concerns.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal454 kcal

Fat20 g

Saturated Fat10 g

Carbohydrates61 g

Sugars37 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average snack in its category, Mars Cookies contain significantly more sugars (37 g vs 28.98 g), fat (20 g vs 17.65 g) and saturated fat (10 g vs 7.8 g) and deliver higher energy (454 kcal vs 418.19 kcal), while their salt level (0.59 g) is lower than the typical 1.98 g.

Ingredients

Farine de blé (Farine de blé, Carbonate de calcium, Fer, Niacine, Thiamine), Morceaux de chocolat au lait (18 %) (Sucre, Beurre de cacao, Lait entier en poudre, Pâte de cacao, Emulsifiant (Lécithine de soja)), Fructose, Huile de palme, Sucre, Morceaux de chocolat fondant aromatisé au caramel (6 %) (SUcre, Lait concentré sucré, Sirop de glucose, Huile de palme, Huile de beurre (lait), Arômes), Cacao maigre en poudre, Pépites de chocolat au caramel (1 %) (Sucre, Beurre de cacao, Lait entier en poudre, Poudre de lactosérum (lait), Pâte de cacao, Arômes, Émulsifiant (Lécithine de soja), Colorant (Extrait de paprika), Humectant (Glycérol), Lactose et protéines de lactosérum (lait), Arômes, Poudres à lever (Bicarbonate de soude, Diphosphate disodique, Bicarbonate d'ammonium), Sel, Orge malté, Fibre d'agrumes.

84%

35%

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