Macarons
Processing
4
Ultra-processed
Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale
Additives listed
4
0 we grade moderate or higher
1 of them not yet assessed here
Sugars per 100g
51.50g
High
UK FSA front of pack threshold
Three separate readings, kept apart on purpose. This is not a score, and none of it says this product is harmful.
Additives (4)
This label lists 2 colours, 1 acidity regulator and 1 emulsifier.
E160A
Carotenes
Yellow to orange colour
What it is. The orange pigments found in carrots and other vegetables, either extracted or made synthetically.
Why it is used. Colours margarine, soft drinks, dairy, and sweets.
What the evidence says. The same compound the body turns into vitamin A, and safe at the levels used in food. High dose beta-carotene supplements have been linked to harm in smokers, but those doses are far above anything a colour in food delivers, and conflating the two is a common mistake.
Permitted. The supplement findings apply to concentrated doses, not to food colouring.
Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E160A
E322
Lecithin
Emulsifier
What it is. A natural emulsifier, usually from soya or sunflower.
Why it is used. Keeps chocolate smooth and stops ingredients separating.
What the evidence says. Safe and widely used. Only relevant if the source, such as soya, is an allergen for you.
Permitted freely. Source allergen must be declared.
Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E322
E330
Citric acid
Acidity regulator
What it is. A mild acid found naturally in citrus fruit, made commercially by fermentation.
Why it is used. Adds tartness, balances flavour and helps preserve. One of the most used additives in food.
What the evidence says. Safe at food levels. No credible health concern for the additive itself.
Permitted freely.
Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E330
Also on the label, not assessed here yet
- E141 Copper complexes of chlorophylls colour
Names and jobs come from the register of additives permitted in Great Britain, which we have not finished transcribing: a code shown without a name is a gap in our coverage, not a finding that it is unapproved. Naming one is not grading it either. Full detail appears only where we have an assessment against a named authority, so all of this describes our coverage rather than these additives. Most are common and low concern.
Ingredients
sugar, ground almonds (1696), white chocolate sugar cocoa butter whole milk powder, emulsifier lecithins favouring), butter (milk), egg white, reconstituted egg white water glucose syrup milk chocolate (sugar, coca butter, whole milk powder, cocoa mass emulsifier lecithins, flavouring, chocolate cocoa mass, sugar, fat reduced cocoa powder, emulsifier: lecithins, ravouring maize starch, caramel with salted butter (glucose-fructise syrup, sweetened condensed milk (whole milk sugar salted butter (butter (milk), salt, sugar, water, salt pistachio nut paste, concentrated raspberry juice, potato starch, emulsifiers: mono-and diglycerides of fatty acids polyglycerol esters of fatty acids caramel syrup (sugar water, acid citric acid), fat reduced cocoa powder concentrated lemon juice, fruit and vegetable extracts (red beet concentrate, acerola concentrate, beetroot extract, lemon extract), flavourings, caramelised sugar colours: carotenes, copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllins, vanilla extract, salt, acid citric acid, vanilla powder, ,quot,rainforest alliance certified, find out more at ra,org allergy advice:
As printed on the pack, in the producer's own order: ingredients are listed by weight, so what comes first is most of what is in it. E numbers link to their assessment where we have one.