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McVitie's Digestives
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McVitie's Digestives

14.1 oz

Poor out of 100 Medium confidence
  • High in saturated fat
  • Contains added sugars
  • Contains palm oil
  • Seed-oil free
  • Contains whole grains
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Why it scores 35

McVitie's Digestives scores 35 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
  2. Invert sugar: An added sugar. Strong
  3. Saturated fat 10.3 g / 100 g: Very high in saturated fat. Strong

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

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The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.

The Receipt

Digestives

START100

Ingredients

  • Sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Invert sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Palm oil
    Strong About half saturated fat; WHO recommends keeping saturated fat to 10% of energy or less. [4][5][6]
subtotal−42.5

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Sugars 13.8 g / 100 g
    Strong High in sugar. [1]
  • Saturated fat 10.3 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in saturated fat. [4]
  • Salt 1.4 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [7]
  • Energy 483 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [2]
  • Fiber 3.4 g / 100 g
    Strong A good source of fiber. [2]
subtotal−23
TOTAL 35Poor

100 − 65.5 = 34.5 → 35

Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]

Can’t score above 79. High in fat and saturated fat (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [8]

GTIN 00059290311877 · 2026-07-08

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy483 kcal
Fat20.7 g
Saturated fat10.3 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates65.5 g
Sugars13.8 g
Added sugars13.8 g
Fiber3.4 g
Protein6.9 g
Salt1.4 g

Serving: 2 cookies (29 g)

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.
Label text, as published

FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, CALCIUM, IRON, NIACIN, THIAMIN), PALM OIL, WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, SUGAR, INVERT SUGAR SYRUP, LEAVENING (SODIUM BICARBONATE, AMMONIUM BICARBONATE), WATER, SALT, MALIC ACID, CITRIC ACID

Allergens and diets

Contains: Wheat

  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Not gluten-free
  • Not palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest cookies in the US

More from McVitie's

Sources

  1. Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children

    World Health Organization · Mar 4, 2015 · Agency assessment

    “In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”

    who.int

  2. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture · January 2026 · Regulator

    “Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”

    cdn.realfood.gov

  3. Added and free sugars should be as low as possible

    European Food Safety Authority · Feb 28, 2022 · Agency assessment

    “Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  4. Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline

    World Health Organization · Jul 17, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”

    who.int

  5. Process contaminants in vegetable oils and foods

    European Food Safety Authority · May 3, 2016 · Agency assessment

    “The highest levels of GE, as well as 3-MCPD and 2-MCPD (including esters) were found in palm oils and palm fats, followed by other oils and fats.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  6. Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food

    European Union (Official Journal) · Apr 25, 2023 · Law

    “Glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol”

    eur-lex.europa.eu

  7. Sodium reduction (fact sheet)

    World Health Organization · May 11, 2026 · Agency assessment

    “For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”

    who.int

  8. Guide to creating a front of pack (FoP) nutrition label for pre-packed products sold through retail outlets

    Department of Health and Social Care / Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK) · Nov 8, 2016 · Regulator

    “Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”

    assets.publishing.service.gov.uk