Nutella Hazelnut Spread with Cocoa
A dessert-style spread that is more than half sugar and palm oil by weight, so it is best treated as an occasional indulgence rather than a nutritious hazelnut spread.
Ingredients (7)
Sugar
Sugar is the first ingredient, making up about 56% of the product. High free-sugar intake is linked to weight gain, dental caries and increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Palm Oil
ControversialPalm oil is high in saturated fat and is the second ingredient. Its production is also strongly associated with deforestation and habitat loss, though Ferrero states it uses RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil. Refining at high temperatures can form contaminants such as glycidyl esters (GE) and 3-MCPD, which EFSA has flagged as a health concern.
Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts provide vitamin E, healthy monounsaturated fats, fiber and minerals. The amount here is small compared with the sugar and palm oil. They are also a major allergen.
Skim Milk Powder
It provides some protein and calcium but also adds lactose to the total sugar. It is a milk allergen and unsuitable for vegans or people avoiding dairy.
Fat-Reduced Cocoa
Cocoa contains antioxidant flavanols and minerals such as magnesium and iron. At this low level and with heavy processing, the health benefit is limited. Cocoa can also contain trace heavy metals such as cadmium.
Soy Lecithin
E322A widely used natural emulsifier that is considered safe by EFSA and the FDA. It may be a concern for people with soy allergy, though the refined form usually contains very little soy protein.
Vanillin
Vanillin is a synthetic flavor compound that is generally recognized as safe and used at very low levels. It is rated yellow as a flavoring that mimics natural vanilla instead of real vanilla, which signals a more processed product.
Healthier alternatives
Provides the nut flavor with no added sugar or palm oil, and more fiber, protein and healthy unsaturated fats.
Find on AmazonCuts added sugar significantly and avoids palm oil, with more hazelnuts and less saturated fat.
Find on AmazonHigher in nuts and cocoa with far less sugar, giving more nutritional value per spoonful.
Find on AmazonNutella was inspired by Italian chocolate shortages during World War II, when pastry maker Pietro Ferrero stretched scarce cocoa by mixing in hazelnuts from Piedmont, creating 'Pasta Gianduja', the precursor of Nutella. Ferrero uses roughly 25% of the world's hazelnut supply.