Why is Polpette vegetali con bulgur classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The dish includes multiple processed components such as refined wheat protein, wheat flour, bulgur, tomato pulp with added citric acid and calcium chloride, and a range of stabilisers and preservatives; the only listed additives are citric acid (E330) and calcium chloride (E509), which place it in the ultra‑processed NOVA 4 category.

How do the sugar and salt levels in this product affect people with diabetes or hypertension?

With 2.6 g of sugar per 100 g, the product is low in sugar and has a modest impact on blood glucose, making it acceptable for most diabetic meal plans, while the 0.9 g of salt is moderate; it is lower than many ready‑meals but still contributes to daily sodium intake, so hypertensive individuals should monitor portion size.

Based on the ingredients, is this product suitable for vegan, gluten‑free or other specific dietary regimes?

The product contains wheat and gluten, so it is not gluten‑free. All listed ingredients are plant‑based, but because the additive status is uncertain and the label warns of possible soy, celery, mustard, fish, crustacean and milk traces, it cannot be guaranteed vegan; it is appropriate for vegetarians who can consume gluten.

Valfrutta

Polpette vegetali con bulgur

Composite Foods

Product Insights

Polpette vegetali con bulgur is a ready‑meal from Valfrutta that combines bulgur wheat, tomato pulp and vegetable meatballs with carrots, red peppers and olives. Per 100 g it provides 140 kcal, 5.3 g protein, 4.2 g fat (1 g saturated), 2.4 g fiber and 0.9 g salt, giving a Nutri‑Score of B while keeping sugar relatively low at 2.6 g. The product falls in the Composite foods group, is classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and contains the additives citric acid (E330) and calcium chloride (E509); it is labeled no‑preservatives but includes gluten and may not be suitable for vegan diets.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal140 kcal

Fat4.2 g

Saturated Fat1 g

Carbohydrates19 g

Sugars2.6 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average ready‑meal (≈174 kcal, 5.94 g fat, 1.94 g saturated fat, 3.57 g sugars, 3.55 g salt, 7.16 g protein), this product delivers fewer calories, less fat, lower saturated fat, lower sugar and markedly less salt while offering slightly more fiber and a modest protein amount.

Ingredients

Bulgur di GRANO 36,8%, polpa di pomodoro 23% (pomodoro, succo di pomodoro, correttore di acidità: acido citrico, agente di resistenza: cloruro di calcio), polpette vegetali 14,3% (proteine del GRANO (proteine di GRANO, farina di GRANO), GRANO, acqua, erbe aromatiche, concentrato di pomodoro, pomodoro, semola di GRANO, semi di zucca, olio di semi di girasole, fibra di bambù, farina di GRANO, pomodoro disidratato, pomodoro in polvere, sale, spezie), carote, peperoni rossi 5,2%, acqua, concentrato di pomodoro 2,0%, olive verdi 1,5%, cipolla, olio di oliva, amido di manioca, zucchero, sale, erbe aromatiche, curcuma in polvere. Il prodotto può contenere SOIA, SEDANO, SENAPE, PESCE, CROSTACEI, LATTE. Confezionato in atmosfera protettiva.

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