Why is Panettone classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and which additives does it contain?

Panettone receives a NOVA 4 label because it is made from refined wheat flour, added sugars, butter, and a range of industrial ingredients such as emulsifiers (E471 - mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids) and preservatives (E202 - sorbate of potassium). It also lists other food-type additives like E322/E322i (lecithins) and E330 (citric acid), all of which are typical of highly processed bakery products.

How does the high sugar and saturated-fat content in Panettone affect people with diabetes or high cholesterol?

The 22 g of sugar per 100 g can cause rapid blood-glucose spikes, making it unsuitable for tight diabetic control unless consumed in very small portions. The 10 g of saturated fat per 100 g may raise LDL cholesterol levels, so individuals managing cholesterol should limit intake and balance it with healthier fats elsewhere in the diet.

Are the egg, milk, wheat and soy allergens in Panettone a concern for people with food allergies?

Yes. Panettone contains egg, milk (skimmed milk powder), wheat flour and soy lecithin, which are common allergens. Anyone allergic to any of these ingredients should avoid the product, as cross-contamination can also occur during manufacturing.

Grand Frais, Pasticceria dei Fiori, Valentino • 900 g

Panettone

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Panettone is a traditional Italian sweet bread classified under the Sugary snacks and Pastries food groups. It carries a Nutri-Score of E and a NOVA 4 rating, indicating an ultra-processed product with high sugar (22 g/100 g) and saturated fat (10 g/100 g) but relatively low salt (0.3 g/100 g). While it offers natural fruit components such as raisins and candied orange peel and is made without GMOs in Italy, the formulation includes multiple additives and emulsifiers that offset its indulgent appeal.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal380 kcal

Fat16 g

Saturated Fat10 g

Carbohydrates51 g

Sugars22 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average sugary snack, this panettone provides 22 g of sugar (vs 16.6 g) and 10 g of saturated fat (vs 8.75 g) per 100 g, while its salt content at 0.3 g is substantially lower than the category average of 1.94 g.

Ingredients

Farine de _blé_, _œuf_, raisin sec Sultanine 16% (raisin, huile de coton), sucre, _beurre_ 16%, levain naturel (_blé_), écorce d'orange confite en cubes 4% (écorce d'orange, glucose, sucre, conservateur : sorbate de potassium, acidifiant : acide citrique), _lait_ écrémé en poudre, émulsifiants : mono - et diglycérides d'acides gras - lécithine de _soja_, sel, arôme naturel de vanille, arôme naturel d'orange, conservateur : sorbate de potassium

84%

35%

Unlock What Your Food Doesn't Tell You

Scan this and millions of other food products to discover hidden positive & negative points, scores percentage, additives, allergens, and deeper product insights with the free NutrScan app.