Why is Crispy chocolate-coated bars classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

It is labelled NOVA 4 because the formulation relies on refined sugar, milk powder, cocoa butter, hydrogenated vegetable fat, palm oil and emulsifiers such as soy lecithin, all of which are industrially processed ingredients rather than whole foods.

How does the high sugar and saturated-fat content in this product affect a diabetic or heart-healthy diet?

The 43 g of sugar per 100 g can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes, making the bar unsuitable for diabetic meal plans, and the 23 g of saturated fat can raise LDL cholesterol, which is contrary to heart‑healthy recommendations.

Based on the ingredient list, is this product suitable for vegan, gluten-free or nut-free diets?

No; the bar contains milk powder and soy lecithin, so it is not vegan, it includes wheat flour with gluten, so it is not gluten-free, and the label warns that it may contain tree nuts, therefore it cannot be considered nut-free.

Hacendado • 135 g

Barritas crujientes recubiertas de chocolate

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Crispy chocolate-coated bars are a sweet snack sold by Hacendado at Mercadona, classified in the Sugary snacks and Biscuits and cakes groups. Each 100 g portion provides 547 kcal, 33 g fat (23 g saturated), 43 g sugars and 7.1 g protein, giving it a Nutri-Score of E and placing it in NOVA group 4, which reflects very high levels of fat, saturated fat and sugar but low salt. The bars contain gluten, milk, soy and mustard allergens, include palm oil and hydrogenated vegetable fat, and use emulsifiers such as soy lecithin, making them highly processed and unsuitable for many dietary restrictions.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

low

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal547 kcal

Fat33 g

Saturated Fat23 g

Carbohydrates53 g

Sugars43 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average sugary snack, this bar contains markedly more sugar (43 g vs 29 g), fat (33 g vs 18 g) and saturated fat (23 g vs 8 g) and higher energy (547 kcal vs 418 kcal), while its salt (0.21 g vs 2 g), fiber (0 g vs 3 g) and carbohydrate (53 g vs 60 g) levels are lower.

Ingredients

P Chocolate ao leite (69%) [açúcar, leite gordo em pó, manteiga de cacau, pasta de cacau, emulsionante (lecitina de soja)], farinha de trigo (glúten), açúcar, gordura vegetal totalmente hidrogenada (palma), glucose em pó, cacau magro em pó, amido de trigo (glúten), óleo vegetal (girassol/palma), xarope de açúcar caramelizado, emulsionante (lecitina de soja), levedante químico (bicarbonato sódico), aroma, sal. Pode conter frutos secos de casca rija e mostarda

84%

35%

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