Why is Girotondi con granelli di zucchero di canna classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The biscuit is labelled NOVA 4 because its formulation relies on industrially refined ingredients such as wheat flour, added white and cane sugars, sunflower oil and wheat starch, and it includes food‑grade additives. The listed additives are E500 (sodium carbonate), E500ii (sodium bicarbonate), E503 (ammonium carbonate) and E503ii (ammonium bicarbonate), which act as raising agents, and a vanillin flavoring, all of which are typical of ultra‑processed foods.

How does the sugar and salt content in this biscuit affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 20 g of sugars per 100 g, the biscuit provides a rapid source of glucose that can raise blood sugar levels, making it unsuitable for strict diabetic control unless consumed in very small portions. The 0.95 g of salt per 100 g is about half the average for similar snacks but still contributes to daily sodium intake, so it should be limited for people managing hypertension.

Is the wheat flour in this product a concern for people with gluten intolerance?

Yes. The primary ingredient is wheat flour, which contains gluten, and the product is labelled with a gluten allergen warning. Anyone with celiac disease or non‑celiac gluten sensitivity should avoid this biscuit.

Mulino Bianco • 350g

Girotondi con granelli di zucchero di canna

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Girotondi con granelli di zucchero di canna are sweet shortbread biscuits that belong to the Sugary snacks family of the PNNS classification. They carry a Nutri-Score of D and are placed in NOVA group 4, indicating an ultra-processed product with added sugars, refined flour, sunflower oil and several food additives such as E500 (sodium carbonate) and E503 (ammonium carbonate). Nutritionally, the biscuits provide 17 g of fat (including 1.7 g saturated fat), 20 g of sugars and 0.95 g of salt per 100 g, which is moderate to high, while offering 3 g of fiber and 6.5 g of protein, so they are energy-dense but not a significant source of micronutrients.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal466 kcal

Fat17 g

Saturated Fat1.7 g

Carbohydrates70.3 g

Sugars20 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average values for shortbread-type snacks, this biscuit contains slightly less sugar (20 g vs 28.98 g), about the same total fat (17 g vs 17.65 g) but far lower saturated fat (1.7 g vs 7.8 g), half the salt (0.95 g vs 1.98 g), yet higher energy (466 kcal vs 418 kcal) and more carbohydrates (70.3 g vs 59.6 g).

Ingredients

Farina di frumento 59,8%, zucchero, olio di girasole, amido di frumento, zucchero di canna 3,7%, latte scremato in polvere, agenti lievitanti (carbonato acido d'ammonio, carbonato acido di sodio), proteine del latte, sale, aroma vanillina. Può contenere tracce di Frutta a guscio, Senape, Soia e Uova.

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