Why is Gran Cereale classic classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

It is placed in the ultra-processed NOVA 4 category because the recipe combines processed ingredients such as refined sugar, glucose syrup and refined flours with food-grade additives; the only additives listed are leavening agents - sodium carbonate (E500/E500ii) and ammonium carbonate (E503/E503ii) - which are used to give the biscuit its texture.

How does the sugar and salt content of this snack affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

The snack provides 17 g of sugar per 100 g, which contributes a significant carbohydrate load that diabetics must account for in their daily intake, while the 0.7 g of salt is below the average for sweet snacks and therefore adds only a modest sodium amount for people with hypertension, though it should still be considered within the total daily salt budget.

Is Gran Cereale classic safe for people who need to avoid gluten?

No, the product contains oat flakes, whole-wheat flour, emmer (farro) flour and barley flour, all of which contain gluten, and the label lists gluten as an allergen.

Gran Cereale • 500g

Gran Cereale classico, Fiocchi d avena, farrone orzo

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Gran Cereale classic is a plant-based oat and barley biscuit snack marketed as a vegetarian and vegan option. It belongs to the Sugary snacks and Biscuits and cakes PNNS groups, carries a Nutri-Score of C, and is classified as an ultra-processed NOVA 4 product due to the inclusion of refined sugar, glucose syrup and several food-grade additives. While its 17 g of sugar, 0.7 g of salt and 1.7 g of saturated fat per 100 g are lower than the average sweet snack, it offers a high fiber content of 8.2 g and a relatively high energy level (~462 kcal), and contains leavening agents (E500/E500ii, E503/E503ii) that may be a concern for some consumers.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal461 kcal

Fat19 g

Saturated Fat1.7 g

Carbohydrates60 g

Sugars17 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average sweet snack, this product contains about 17 g of sugar per 100 g, well below the category average of 28.98 g, while delivering higher fiber (8.2 g vs 3.07 g) and lower salt (0.7 g vs 1.98 g), although its energy content (~462 kcal) exceeds the typical 418 kcal.

Ingredients

Fiocchi di avena 34,8%*, farina integrale di frumento 28,5%*, olio di girasole, zucchero, sciroppo di glucosio, farina integrale di farro (grano) 3,2%, farina integrale di orzo 3,2%, agenti lievitanti (carbonato acido d'ammonio, carbonato acido di sodio), sale, aroma, estratto naturale di oliva. *Percentuali espresse sul prodotto finito. Può contenere tracce di frutta a guscio, latte, senape, soia e uova.

84%

35%

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