Nutella Hazelnut Chocolate Spread with Cocoa
Red flags
- −Red flag: High added sugar (50g per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (10.6g)
- −Red flag: Palm oil listed
Green flags
- +Green flag: Source of protein (6.3g)
Ingredients, decoded
7 listed- Sugar
- Palm Oil
- Hazelnuts (13%)
- Skimmed Cow Milk Powder (8.7%)
- Low Fat Cocoa Powder (7.4%)
- Emulsifier (Lecithin - Ins 322)
- Nature-Identical Flavouring Substance, Vanillin
EB5
Our take
CleanPlate reviewA spread that is mostly sugar and palm oil
Nutella is sugar, palm oil, hazelnuts (13%), skimmed milk powder (8.7%) and low-fat cocoa powder (7.4%), with lecithin as an emulsifier and vanillin as a flavouring. The listing says it has only seven ingredients and no preservatives or colours.
CleanPlate scores it EB5. The E for nutrition is low: almost no credited protein, fibre or micronutrients per 100 g; its 6.3 g of protein earns no credit because it is under 2.75 g per 100 kcal. The B for ingredients reflects mostly refined or industrial ingredients (led by sugar, palm oil and hazelnuts), with additives that cost points: flavouring. The 5 for risk comes mainly from free sugar (50 g per 100 g) and saturated fat (10.6 g per 100 g).
Claims vs reality
What the pack says, checked against the ingredient list and nutrition panel.
- Retail listingHolds
“Made with only 7 high-quality ingredients”
The list does have seven items; sugar and palm oil lead it, and hazelnuts are 13%.
- Retail listingHolds
“No hydrogenated fats”
Palm oil is the only added fat; no hydrogenated oil is listed.
- Product nameHolds
“Hazelnut Chocolate Spread with Cocoa”
Hazelnuts are 13% and cocoa powder 7.4%, both above the 5% pass line.
How EB5 breaks down
Each grade is scored on its own. Here are the label numbers behind each one, per 100 g.
Very low nutrient density
- Protein
- 6.3 g
- Fibre
- Not declared
- Vitamins and minerals
- None declared
- Energy
- 539 kcal
Scored on protein, fibre and twelve vitamins and minerals, against the Codex and FSSAI "source" and "high" levels, per 100 g and per 100 kcal.
Good, few concerning additives
- Base
- Sugar
- Main fat
- Palm Oil
- Sweeteners
- Sugar
- Additives
- 1
- Flagged
- Palm oil
Scored on how processed the ingredients are, which additives are used and why, and whether the label keeps its promises.
Very high risk
- Added sugar
- 50 g
- Saturated fat
- 10.6 g
- Trans fat
- 0.1 g
Scored on free sugar, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat, each weighed by how strong the evidence of harm is.
A closer look
Does the label add up?
Sugar, palm oil, hazelnuts 13%, skimmed cow milk powder 8.7%, low-fat cocoa powder 7.4%, emulsifier (lecithin, INS 322) and nature-identical flavouring (vanillin).
Per 100 g: 539 kcal, 30.9 g fat of which 10.6 g saturated, 56.3 g sugar of which 50 g added, 6.3 g protein. The panel has no sodium line, which costs 2 label points and makes the score provisional. Protein is 6.3 g from the Nutrition Information text; added sugar 50 g comes from the structured field only (the text gives sugars 56.3 g). No fibre or cholesterol line.
Ingredients to watch
- SugarConcern
50 g added sugar per 100 g; sugar is the first ingredient.
- Saturated fatConcern
10.6 g per 100 g, from palm oil, milk powder and hazelnuts.
- Palm oilWorth watching
The only added fat, a refined fat.
- Real hazelnuts and cocoaFine
Hazelnuts (13%) and cocoa powder (7.4%) are declared, with no colour or preservative.
Common misconceptions
Myth: "A hazelnut spread is a healthy breakfast"
A 15 g spoonful gives about 7.5 g of added sugar; the nuts are 13% of the jar.
Myth: "No hydrogenated fat means no unhealthy fat"
Saturated fat is 10.6 g per 100 g, from palm oil and milk.
How often, and how
- Healthy adultsOccasionally
- ChildrenRarely
- Diabetes or prediabetesLimit
Smarter ways to eat it
One thin layer
Spread 10 to 15 g on whole wheat toast and add banana for fibre.
Compare with nut butter
A plain nut butter gives protein and fat with far less sugar per spoon.
Common questions
Is Nutella Hazelnut Chocolate Spread with Cocoa healthy?
Nutella Hazelnut Chocolate Spread with Cocoa scores EB5 (Poor) on CleanPlate, which makes it best kept as a rare treat rather than a regular buy. The main concerns are: High added sugar (50g per 100g); High saturated fat (10.6g); Palm oil listed. On the plus side: Source of protein (6.3g).
What does the EB5 score mean?
The first letter (E) grades nutritional value: very low nutrient density. The second letter (B) grades ingredient and label integrity: good, few concerning additives. The number (5) grades risk nutrients (sugar, sodium, saturated fat): very high risk.
Which ingredients in Nutella Hazelnut Chocolate Spread with Cocoa should I watch?
Palm Oil (Palm oil).
Last reviewed October 10, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label.