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

Lion is labeled NOVA 4 because its formulation includes refined sugars, glucose‑fructose syrup, palm‑derived oils and multiple food‑grade additives. The listed additives are lecithin (E322/E322i) used as an emulsifier, carrageenan (E407) as a gelling agent, and sodium carbonate (E500/E500i) serving as a raising agent.

How does the high sugar and saturated‑fat content in Lion affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 53 g of sugars and 12 g of saturated fat per 100 g, Lion can cause rapid spikes in blood glucose, making it unsuitable for people managing diabetes, and the elevated saturated fat may contribute to higher LDL cholesterol, which is a concern for hypertension and heart‑health focused diets.

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

No. Lion contains milk ingredients (milk chocolate, whey, skimmed milk powder), wheat flour and therefore gluten, and it is high in carbohydrates, so it does not meet vegan, gluten‑free or keto diet requirements.

Nestlé • 42 g

Lion

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Lion is a chocolate snack bar from Nestlé that falls into the Sugary snacks and Biscuits and cakes categories. It carries a Nutri‑Score of E and is classified as NOVA group 4, reflecting its ultra‑processed nature with high levels of sugars (53 g/100 g), fat (22 g/100 g) and saturated fat (12 g/100 g). The bar also contains several additives such as lecithin (E322), carrageenan (E407) and sodium carbonate (E500), and includes allergens like milk and wheat.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Added Sugars52.4 g

Fruits & Vegetables0 %

Comparative Analysis

Compared with typical snack bars, this Lion bar contains about 53 g of sugars per 100 g, almost double the category average of 29 g, and also exceeds average levels of fat (22 g vs 18 g) and saturated fat (12 g vs 8 g), while its salt is lower.

Ingredients

Milk chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter*, Cocoa Mass*, Skimmed Cow's Milk powder, Whey Powder, Milk Fat, Non-hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Palm, Shea), Emulsifer from o ant origin lecithin), Glucose Fructose Syrup, Wheat Flour, Sweet Condensed Milk, Non-hydrogenated Palm Oil, Sugar, Whey Powder, Maltodextrain, Skimmed Cow's Milk powder Starch Wheat Salt Emulsifiers from Plant Origin: Lecithin), Raising Agent (Sodium Carbonate), Caramelized Sugar, Gelling Agent (Carrageenan).

84%

35%

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