Why is Tim Tam Original classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The biscuit is made from refined wheat flour, milk chocolate, added sugars and multiple industrial ingredients such as emulsifiers (soy lecithin, E476), flavourings, antioxidants (E307b from soy), and colourants (Caramel II, beet red E162, cochineal E120, annatto E160b), which are hallmarks of ultra‑processed foods and place it in the NOVA 4 category.

How does the high sugar and saturated fat content in Tim Tam Original affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

Both the 46 g of sugar and 15 g of saturated fat per 100 g can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes and increase cholesterol levels, making the biscuit unsuitable for strict diabetic or hypertensive meal plans, even though its salt is low.

Is the milk chocolate in Tim Tam Original a concern for individuals with dairy, soy, gluten, or animal‑derived colourant allergies?

Yes; the product contains milk solids (dairy), wheat flour (gluten), soy lecithin (soy) and cochineal (E120), an insect‑derived colour, so it is not safe for people with dairy, soy, gluten or insect‑based colourant allergies and is not vegan.

Arnott's • 200g

Tim Tam

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Tim Tam Original is a chocolate‑coated biscuit that belongs to the Sugary snacks family within the Biscuits and cakes category. It is classified as an ultra‑processed product (NOVA 4) and carries a Nutri‑Score of E, reflecting its high sugar (46 g/100 g), high saturated fat (15 g/100 g) and low salt (0.07 g/100 g) profile. The biscuit also contains several allergens (gluten, milk, soy) and additives such as soy lecithin, E476, caramel colour (Caramel II), beet red (E162), cochineal (E120) and annatto (E160b), which may be undesirable for some consumers.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

low

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal524 kcal

Fat26.8 g

Saturated Fat15 g

Carbohydrates65.1 g

Sugars46 g

Comparative Analysis

Tim Tam Original contains 46 g of sugar per 100 g, far above the sugary‑snack average of 28.98 g, and its 15 g of saturated fat also far exceeds the typical 7.8 g, while its salt at 0.07 g is well below the average 1.98 g.

Ingredients

Milk Chocolate (38%) (Sugar, Milk Solids, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Mass Vegetable Oil, Emulsifiers (Soy Lecithin, E476), Flavour), Wheat Flour, Sugar Vegetable Oill (Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin), Antioxidant (E307b From Soy), Golden Syrup, Food Colours (Caramel II, Beet Red, Cochineal, Annatto), Wheat Starch, Cocoa Pavoler, Salt, Baking Powder, Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin), Flavour.

84%

35%

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