Why is Water crackers classified as highly processed (NOVA 3) and what specific additives does it contain?

The product is placed in Nova group 3 because it uses refined wheat flour and includes two food additives: antioxidant E307b and raising agent E500 (sodium bicarbonate), which are typical of moderately processed foods.

How does the sugar and salt content of Water crackers affect people with diabetes or high blood pressure?

With only 1 g of sugar per 100 g, the crackers have a minimal impact on blood glucose levels, but the 0.19 g of salt (about 0.78 g NaCl per 100 g) can contribute to sodium intake, so those managing hypertension should limit portion sizes.

Are Water crackers suitable for vegan, gluten‑free, or halal diets?

They are not gluten‑free because they contain wheat flour, they are not vegan due to the palm‑oil shortening, and without a specific certification the halal status cannot be confirmed.

Coles

Water crackers

Salty Snacks

Product Insights

Water crackers are plain, thin wheat‑based biscuits sold under the Coles brand and positioned as a salty snack or appetizer. They belong to the Salty snacks group, earn a Nutri‑Score of A (score 0) and are classified in Nova group 3, indicating a moderately processed product with low fat (1.1 g), low saturated fat (1 g), low sugars (1 g) and low salt (0.19 g) per 100 g. The crackers contain gluten, palm‑oil shortening, antioxidant E307b and raising agent E500, so they are not suitable for gluten‑free or vegan diets and the presence of palm oil raises sustainability concerns.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

low

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal51 kcal

Fat1.1 g

Saturated Fat1 g

Carbohydrates8.7 g

Sugars1 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average salty‑snack, Water crackers provide dramatically less fat (1.1 g vs 23.6 g), saturated fat (1 g vs 5.1 g), sugars (1 g vs 3.8 g) and salt (0.19 g vs 52.4 g) per 100 g, while offering a similar carbohydrate level.

Ingredients

Wheat Flour, Shortening [Palm oil, Antioxidant (307b)], Salt, Raising Agent (500)

84%

35%

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