Why is Maria 100% Integral classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The biscuit is deemed ultra-processed because it contains refined ingredients such as sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, refined sunflower oil, and multiple food-grade additives; the listed additives are sodium carbonates (E500), ammonium carbonates (E503), sunflower lecithin (E322), metabisulfite (E223) and a tocopherol-rich antioxidant extract (E306).

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

At 20 g of sugar per 100 g, the biscuit can cause a rapid rise in blood glucose and should be limited by people with diabetes, while the 1.4 g of salt contributes noticeably to daily sodium intake and may be problematic for those managing hypertension.

Is the wheat gluten in this product a concern for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance?

Yes; the primary ingredient is whole-wheat flour, which naturally contains gluten, so the biscuit is not suitable for anyone requiring a gluten-free diet.

Hacendado

María 100% Integral

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Maria 100% Integral is a whole-wheat Maria biscuit marketed by Hacendado in Mercadona, classified in the Sugary snacks and Biscuits & cakes groups. It carries a Nutri-Score of D and falls into the ultra-processed NOVA 4 category, containing additives such as sodium and ammonium carbonates, sunflower lecithin, metabisulfite and tocopherol extracts. While the biscuit provides a high dietary fiber amount (11 g per 100 g) and low saturated fat, it also delivers a relatively high sugar level (20 g) and moderate salt (1.4 g), making it a mixed nutritional choice.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal410 kcal

Fat10 g

Saturated Fat1 g

Carbohydrates66 g

Sugars20 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with typical sugary snacks, this whole-wheat Maria biscuit contains less sugar (20 g vs approx 29 g) and less salt (1.4 g vs approx 2 g) per 100 g, while offering an unusually high fiber content of 11 g.

Ingredients

Harina integral de trigo (gluten) (74%), azúcar, jarabe de glucosa y fructosa, aceite de girasol alto oleico (7%), gasificantes (carbonatos de sodio, carbonatos de amonio), emulgente (lecitina de girasol), sal, suero de leche en polvo, miel, antioxidantes (metabisulfito sódico, extracto rico en tocoferoles).

84%

35%

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