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

NOVA 4 includes foods made mostly from industrial formulations with added flavours, sweeteners, emulsifiers and other additives; Lion contains added sugars, glucose syrup, palm oil, natural flavourings, and the emulsifier lecithins (E322), all of which qualify it as ultra‑processed.

How does the high sugar content in this cereal affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 25 g of sugar per 100 g, the cereal can cause significant spikes in blood glucose, making it unsuitable for tight diabetic control, and although its salt is moderate, the combined high sugar and energy load can exacerbate weight gain and blood pressure issues, so it should be limited in such diets.

Is Lion cereal suitable for vegan, gluten‑free, or halal diets?

No; Lion contains milk (dairy) and wheat (gluten), which disqualify it from vegan and gluten‑free diets, and it also includes palm oil and animal‑derived ingredients, making halal compliance uncertain without specific certification.

Nestlé, Cereal Partners Worldwide, Lion • 1300 g

lion

Cereals And Potatoes

Product Insights

Lion chocolate caramel breakfast cereal is a 1.3 kg pack made in France, marketed under the Nestlé Lion brand and suitable for vegetarians, but it contains gluten and milk. Its nutritional profile per 100 g provides 409 kcal, 7.7 g fat (moderate), 3.2 g saturated fat (moderate), 25 g sugars (high), 0.49 g salt (moderate), 8.2 g protein and 5.8 g fiber, earning a Nutri‑Score of D and a NOVA 4 ultra‑processed rating, with ingredients such as palm oil, added sugars and an emulsifier (lecithins). While it offers quick energy and some vitamins, the high sugar and moderate salt content make it best consumed in moderation, especially for those monitoring sugar intake.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal409 kcal

Fat7.7 g

Saturated Fat3.2 g

Carbohydrates73.9 g

Sugars25 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average breakfast cereal, Lion contains markedly more sugar (25 g vs 14 g per 100 g) and saturated fat, while its salt and protein are considerably lower.

Ingredients

BLÉ complet 41,3%, farine de BLÉ, sucre, sirop de glucose, huile de palme, chocolat 3,0% (cacao maigre en poudre, pâte de cacao, sucre), LAIT concentré sucré (LAIT, sucre), carbonate de calcium, sel, arômes naturels, émulsifiant : lécithines, sirop de sucre caramélisé, fer, vitamines B3, B5, D, B6, B1, B2, B9. Peut contenir des ARACHIDES et des FRUITS À COQUE.

84%

35%

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