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

The product combines refined sugar, milk powders, cocoa butter, multiple vegetable oils and several industrial ingredients such as an emulsifier (lecithins, E322), a raising agent (sodium carbonates, E500), and glazing agents (acacia gum, E414 and shellac, E904), which together place it in the ultra‑processed NOVA 4 category.

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

With 49.9 g of sugar per 100 g, the snack can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes, making it unsuitable for diabetic control, while 15 g of saturated fat can raise LDL cholesterol; the modest salt (0.71 g) is less problematic for blood‑pressure but overall the nutrient profile is not recommended for these conditions.

Is the palm oil used in this product a concern for environmental sustainability?

The formulation lists palm oil as one of the vegetable oils, and although the product bears the Rainforest Alliance label, palm oil production is associated with deforestation and biodiversity loss, so sustainability‑focused consumers may view its inclusion as a drawback.

Nestlé, KitKat • 400 g

KITKAT Ball, Billes au chocolat au Lait, 400g

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

KitKat Ball, Milk Chocolate Balls (400 g) are a sweet snack belonging to the sugary‑snacks family. With a Nutri‑Score of E (score 33) and classified in NOVA group 4, the product is high in sugar (49.9 g/100 g), total fat (25 g/100 g) and saturated fat (15 g/100 g), moderate in protein (7 g) and low in fiber (2.4 g), while its salt content (0.71 g) is below the average for similar snacks. It contains milk, gluten and possible nut traces, includes additives E322, E414, E500 and E904, and carries Rainforest Alliance and Nestlé Cocoa Plan certifications, but the plastic packaging and ultra‑processed nature limit its overall health profile.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal507 kcal

Fat25 g

Saturated Fat15 g

Carbohydrates61.9 g

Sugars49.9 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average sugary snack, this KitKat Ball contains substantially more sugar (49.9 g vs 28.98 g) and fat (25 g vs 17.65 g), about double the saturated fat (15 g vs 7.8 g), while its salt level (0.71 g) is below the typical 1.98 g.

Ingredients

Chocolat au LAIT [sucre, pâte de cacao, LAIT écrémé en poudre, beurre de cacao, BEURRE pâtissier, PETIT-LAIT en poudre, LACTOSE, émulsifiant (lécithines), arôme naturel de vanille], céréales croustillantes [farine de BLE, gluten de BLE, sucre, farine de BLE maltée, poudre à lever (carbonates de sodium), sel], huiles végétales (palme, karité), sucre, LACTOSE, sirop de glucose, émulsifiant (lécithines), agents d'enrobage (gomme d'acacia, shellac), arôme naturel de vanille. Peut contenir : FRUITS A COQUE.

84%

35%

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