We no longer have any excuse for not understanding nutrition labels and ingredient lists. I came across this made-in-Korea biscuit at NTUC Fairprice and turned the box around to look at the nutritional label. I was stunned to see SO MANY ingredients, so I took a photo of it and asked ChatGPT to analyse it. Here’s the summary (and also why you should avoid ultraprocessed food, which is defined as food that has more than 5 ingredients):
The Vegetable Cracker is marketed as a vegetable-based snack, but its nutritional content and ingredient list reveal it is primarily composed of refined carbohydrates, fats, and artificial additives. A single serving (41.5g) contains 214 kcal, 10.7g of fat (5.8g saturated), 2.8g of protein, 26.6g of carbohydrates, and 333mg of sodium. The cracker is energy-dense with a high fat content—over half of which is saturated. Sodium levels are also significant, covering 14% of the recommended daily intake per serving. The 4.2g of sugar per serving mainly comes from added sugars like corn syrup and BBQ paste.
🔵 Number of Ingredients
There are over 30 ingredients in this product, including refined flours, processed oils, artificial flavors, and preservatives. Key ingredients include wheat flour, palm oil, beef tallow, corn starch, and maltodextrin.
🔵 Ingredient Analysis
❌ Processed Fats:
Contains palm oil, palm kernel oil, and beef tallow, which are high in saturated fats linked to heart disease.
❌ Artificial Additives:
Includes Disodium 5′-Ribonucleotide (E635) and Caramel Color to enhance flavor and appearance. Artificial BBQ and onion flavors are used to mimic taste.
❌ Minimal Vegetable Content:
Despite the label, mixed vegetables (green onion, carrot, broccoli, etc.) are present in trace amounts, mainly for flavor.
❌ Preservatives and Fillers:
Sodium Metabisulfite acts as a preservative, and maltodextrin adds bulk without nutrition.
🔵 The Vegetable Cracker is a highly processed snack with minimal real vegetable content. Its high fat, sodium, and artificial additives make it less healthy than its branding suggests. Opting for whole-grain alternatives with genuine vegetable content would be a healthier choice.