Instant Hot Chocolate
Processing
4
Ultra-processed
Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale
Additives listed
7
0 we grade moderate or higher
6 of them not yet assessed here
Nutrients
–
Nothing above the low band
Or no figures recorded at all
Three separate readings, kept apart on purpose. This is not a score, and none of it says this product is harmful.
Additives (7)
This label lists 4 acidity regulators, 1 anticaking agent, 1 emulsifier and 1 thickener or gelling agent.
E407
Carrageenan
Thickener and stabiliser
What it is. A gel forming fibre extracted from red seaweed.
Why it is used. Thickens dairy, plant milks, desserts and some processed meats.
What the evidence says. Food grade carrageenan is permitted. A degraded form called poligeenan is harmful, but that is not what goes into food. Some lab and animal work links carrageenan to gut inflammation, which keeps it under review, but human evidence is limited and mixed.
Permitted, including in organic food in many places, though a few specialist products avoid it as a precaution.
Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E407
Also on the label, not assessed here yet
- E340 Potassium phosphates acidity regulator
- E452 Polyphosphates acidity regulator
- E481 Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate emulsifier
- E501 Potassium carbonates acidity regulator
- E525 Potassium hydroxide acidity regulator
- E551 Silicon dioxide anticaking agent
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, whey powder (from milk), fat reduced coco powder (14%), skimmed milk powder, coconut oil, glucose syrup acidity regulators (potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonates), salt, anti-caking agent (E551), stabilisers (E452, E340), milk protein, thickener (E407), flavourings, emulsifier (E481). Allergens shown in bold Net Weight 9 xe 15g
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.