Why is Maggi Cheesy Tomato classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The product is made from processed ingredients such as dehydrated tomato paste, cheese powder and maltodextrin, and it includes several food‑industry additives: anti‑caking agent E551, emulsifier E471, thickener E508, flavor enhancer E635 and acidity regulator E296, which together meet the criteria for the NOVA 4 ultra‑processed category.

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

With 7.6 g of sugar per 100 g, the product can cause a noticeable rise in blood glucose, making it less suitable for people managing diabetes; the 3.0 g of salt per 100 g exceeds the recommended daily limit and may contribute to elevated blood pressure, so it should be limited for hypertensive individuals.

Based on the ingredients, is this product suitable for strict diets like vegan, keto, halal, or gluten‑free?

No, the product contains dairy ingredients (milk solids and cheese powder) so it is not vegan; its high carbohydrate level (nearly 70 g per 100 g) makes it unsuitable for keto; it includes wheat‑based semolina, so it is not gluten‑free; halal status depends on the source of the cheese, which is not certified, so consumers requiring halal assurance should verify the ingredient sourcing.

Maggi • 68.5

Maggi cheesy Tomato

Cereals And Potatoes

Product Insights

Maggi Cheesy Tomato is an instant pasta that falls under the Cereals and potatoes dietary group. It carries a Nutri-Score of E and is classified as NOVA 4 ultra‑processed, offering low fat (2.1 g) and modest protein (10.3 g) but high salt (3.0 g) and moderate sugars (7.6 g). The formulation includes cheese powder, milk solids and several additives (E551, E471, E508, E635, E296), making it unsuitable for vegan or gluten‑free diets despite the vegetarian label.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

moderate

Salt

high

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal339 kcal

Fat2.1 g

Saturated Fat1.4 g

Carbohydrates69.8 g

Sugars7.6 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with typical instant‑pasta averages, Maggi Cheesy Tomato contains less fat (2.1 g vs 6.94 g) and less sugar (7.6 g vs 9 g) but more salt (3.05 g vs 2.96 g) and higher carbohydrate content (69.8 g vs 63.97 g), while delivering slightly more protein (10.3 g vs 9.76 g).

Ingredients

MA ##MACARONI (PASTA) Semolina (100%) [from Wheat]. CHEESY TOMATO *TASTEMAKER® Milk and sugar blend mix (Milk solids & Sugar), Sugar, Dehydrated tomato paste solids {Tomato paste (13.7%), Anticaking agent (551) & lodised salt), lodised salt, Mixed spices (Dehydrated onion, Dried garlic, Roasted garlic, Cumin powder, Red chilli, Capsicum extract, Black pepper, Coriander extract & Cumin extract), Dehydrated Green bell pepper (7.1%), Maltodextrin, Edible starch, Cheese powder (Cheese (3%) & Maltodextrin), Potato flakes (Potato, Margarine, lodised salt, Emulsifier (471) & Turmeric), Palm oil, Thickener (508), Flavour enhancer (635), Oregano bits and Acidity regulator (296).

84%

35%

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