Why is Organic Vegetable Meatballs classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and which ingredients lower its Nutri‑Score to D?

The product contains industrial ingredients such as restructured soy flour, refined sunflower oil, wheat breadcrumbs, added tomato concentrates, and a small amount of cane sugar; these processing steps, together with high fat, sugar and salt, raise its energy density and drive the Nutri‑Score down to D.

How does the sugar and salt content in these meatballs affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 4.4 g of sugar per 100 g, the balls raise blood glucose more than typical meat‑alternatives, and 1.5 g of salt contributes a moderate sodium load, so they should be consumed sparingly by people with diabetes or high blood pressure.

Based on the ingredient list, can these organic vegetable meatballs be considered vegan or gluten‑free?

All ingredients are plant‑derived, making the product vegan, but it contains wheat flour, wheat gluten and breadcrumbs, so it is not suitable for a gluten‑free diet.

Coop,Vivi Verde • 160 g

Polpette vegetali biologiche

Meat Alternatives

Product Insights

These organic vegetable meatballs belong to the plant‑based protein food family and are marketed as a meat‑alternative. They provide a high protein content of 18 g and 5.4 g of fiber per 100 g, but also contain 21 g of fat, 2.2 g of saturated fat and 1.5 g of salt, resulting in a Nutri‑Score of D and a NOVA 4 ultra‑processed classification. While the organic label and vegetable ingredients make them a convenient source of plant protein, the elevated fat, sugar and processing level limit their suitability for low‑fat or low‑salt diets.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal344 kcal

Fat21 g

Saturated Fat2.2 g

Carbohydrates18 g

Sugars4.4 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average meat‑alternative ball, this product contains markedly more fat (21 g vs 9.5 g), higher sugars (4.4 g vs 1.9 g) and calories (344 kcal vs 192 kcal) while delivering more protein (18 g vs 14.6 g) and fiber (5.4 g vs 3.9 g).

Ingredients

Farina di soia* ristrutturata e reidratata 31%, cipolla, olio di semi di girasole*, pangrattato* (farina di grano tenero tipo "0"*, lievito di birra, sale), glutine di grano*, doppio concentrato di pomodoro*, passata di pomodoro*, amido di tapioca, pomodori secchi*, fibra di avena*, aglio*, farina di soia* 1%, sale, malto d'orzo*, zucchero di canna*, basilico*, origano' Può contenere sedano, sesamo, senape e lupini.

84%

35%

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