Why is Mélange d épices Chili Old el Paso classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The blend includes several processed ingredients such as wheat flour, wheat starch, dextrose, citric acid (E330) and a flavoring agent, all of which are added during manufacturing; these components, together with the use of a spice extract, place the product in the NOVA 4 category for ultra‑processed foods.

How does the high sugar and salt content of this spice mix affect people with diabetes or hypertension?

With 24.2 g of sugar and 20.5 g of salt per 100 g, the mix can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes for diabetics and significantly increase sodium intake for those managing blood pressure, making it unsuitable as a regular seasoning for these conditions.

Is this chili spice blend suitable for strict diets such as vegan, keto, halal, or gluten‑free?

The product is vegan because it contains no animal‑derived ingredients, but it is not gluten‑free due to wheat flour and wheat starch, it is high in carbohydrates which conflicts with a keto regimen, and its halal status cannot be confirmed from the ingredient list.

Old el paso • 39g

Mélange d épices Chili Old el Paso

Plant Based Foods And Beverages

Product Insights

The Old El Paso Chili Spice Mix is a 39 g packaged blend of salt, chili pepper, cumin, paprika, black pepper, cayenne and other dehydrated vegetables, marketed as a seasoning for Mexican‑style dishes. Nutritionally, it delivers 271 kcal per 100 g with 4.5 g fat, 5.2 g fiber and 7 g protein, but its sugar (24.2 g) and salt (20.5 g) levels are markedly high, resulting in a Nutri‑Score that is not applicable for spices and a NOVA 4 classification indicating ultra‑processed status. While the label states “no preservatives” and the product is vegan, the excessive sodium and added sugars, together with a low Eco‑Score (E), limit its healthfulness.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

high

Salt

high

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal271 kcal

Fat4.5 g

Saturated Fat0.5 g

Carbohydrates45.4 g

Sugars24.2 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with average spices, this mix contains roughly double the typical sugar (24.2 g vs 10.9 g) and twenty‑times more salt (20.5 g vs 1.0 g) per 100 g, while its fat content (4.5 g) is well below the category average of 15.3 g.

Ingredients

Sel, épices (23%) (piment, cumin, paprika, poivre noir, poivre de Cayenne), farine de blé, dextrose, légumes déshydratés (oignon, ail), amidon de blé, chicorée, correcteur d'acidité : acide citrique, extrait d'épices (paprika), herbes (origan), arôme, Allergènes : voir les aliments en gras, A conserver dans un endroit frais et sec,

84%

35%

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