
Nutella is a popular hazelnut cocoa spread, manufactured by the Italian company Ferrero. It was introduced in 1964, and is now produced in over 75 countries. The product is famous for its creamy texture and unique taste, derived from a blend of sugar, vegetable oil, hazelnuts, cocoa powder, and skimmed milk solids. However, there have been concerns about the presence of plastic in Nutella, particularly regarding the packaging and whether it may contaminate the product. The Nutella jar is made of glass, with a plastic lid and paper label, raising questions about potential plastic contamination during consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nutella jar made of | Glass |
| Nutella lid made of | Plastic |
| Nutella protective sealing film made of | Paper and aluminium |
| Nutella ingredients | Sugar, vegetable oil, hazelnuts, cocoa powder, non-fat milk solids, emulsifier, flavouring |
| Nutella production locations | Europe, America, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, France, Germany, Russia, Brazil |
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What You'll Learn

Nutella jar lids are made of plastic
The Nutella jar itself is made of glass, with an average of 30% recycled material, and is also recyclable. The jar's label is made of paper and does not hinder the recyclability of the glass jar. Nutella encourages consumers to reuse their jars, suggesting alternative uses such as drinking glasses, measuring cups, or storage containers.
The distinctive shape of the Nutella jar, resembling a Pelikan ink bottle, was chosen to differentiate the product from competing brands that typically used round, straight-sided jars. The jar's design has become iconic, even featuring on a commemorative stamp issued by Poste Italiane in 2014 to celebrate Nutella's 50th anniversary.
While the plastic lid is safe for food use, it is important to follow local recycling regulations when disposing of Nutella jars and their lids. Proper recycling ensures that the plastic components can be given a new life, contributing to sustainability and reducing waste.
In summary, Nutella jar lids are made of food-safe, recyclable plastic, while the jars are made of glass with recyclable labels. The unique jar design has become a recognisable feature of the brand, and Nutella encourages consumers to find creative ways to reuse their jars after enjoying the delicious hazelnut spread inside.
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$43.08

Nutella jar lids are recyclable
Nutella's approach to sustainability is reflected in its packaging. The jars are recyclable and can be reused in the family kitchen, such as for drinking, measuring, or storage. The glass jar is made with an average of 30% recycled material. Nutella labels and paper disks come from sustainable certified supply chains.
The jar's protective sealing film, made of paper and aluminium, preserves the taste of Nutella. As part of the Ferrero group, Nutella is committed to reducing the use of virgin plastic and boosting the uptake of recycled content in its plastic packaging.
The Nutella jar is made of diverse materials, and you can refer to the icons on the labels to identify the materials used and recycle them properly according to your local recycling regulations.
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Nutella jars were previously made of glass
Nutella is a popular hazelnut spread that is enjoyed by many people worldwide. The Nutella jar has undergone some changes over the years, and previously, the product was packaged in glass jars. This practice is still common in Europe, where Nutella has traditionally been sold in glass bottles or jars. In fact, according to some sources, Nutella has always been sold in glass bottles in Europe.
The glass Nutella jars are recyclable and can be reused in various ways, such as drinking glasses, measuring cups, or storage containers. The glass jars are made with recycled material, and the paper labels and disks come from sustainable certified supply chains. This aligns with Nutella's approach to sustainability, which considers both ingredient sourcing and packaging development.
However, in recent times, there have been reports of Nutella being packaged in plastic jars, particularly in the United States and Canada. This has sparked some discussion among consumers, with some expressing surprise at the change from glass to plastic packaging. Some sources indicate that the glass jars are considered more environmentally friendly, as they can be recycled and upcycled.
The taste of Nutella is also said to be slightly different between the European and US versions, with some claiming that the European Nutella, packaged in glass, has a stronger hazelnut flavor and is tastier. Additionally, the glass jars are sold at a higher price, and there has been some debate around a potential tax exemption for these glass-packaged products.
While the glass jars were once the standard for Nutella, the shift towards plastic packaging in certain regions highlights the evolving nature of product packaging and consumer preferences.
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Nutella's main ingredients
Nutella is a brand of sweetened hazelnut cocoa spread. It was introduced in 1964 by the Italian company Ferrero, although its first iteration dates back to 1963. The product was an instant success and remains widely popular. Nutella is produced in various facilities across the world, including Europe, North America, South America, and Australia.
The main ingredients of Nutella are sugar, vegetable oil (palm oil), hazelnuts, cocoa solids, skimmed milk powder, and soy lecithin. Vanillin, a synthetic flavour component found naturally in vanilla bean extract, is also added to enhance the sweetness of the chocolate. While Nutella is advertised as a hazelnut spread, sugar is listed first on the ingredient label, comprising 55-57% of its weight. Vegetable oil is added to give Nutella its spreadable texture, while cocoa powder is mixed with the hazelnuts to give it a chocolatey taste. Skimmed milk powder, made by removing water from pasteurized non-fat milk, gives the spread a longer shelf life. Soy lecithin, derived from soybeans, acts as an emulsifier to keep the ingredients from separating and gives the spread its smooth and uniform texture.
Nutella is high in sugar and fat, with a two-tablespoon (37-gram) serving containing 21 grams of sugar, or about 5 teaspoons. This serving size also contains 11 grams of fat, 3.5 grams of which are saturated. Due to its high sugar and fat content, Nutella should not be considered a healthy ingredient, despite the presence of hazelnuts.
The Nutella jar is made of glass, with a plastic lid that is designed to be safe and recyclable. The jar's protective sealing film is made from a composite of paper and aluminium to preserve the taste of the spread. The glass jar can also be reused or recycled after the product has been consumed.
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Nutella's production facilities
Nutella is manufactured by the Italian company Ferrero, which was founded by Pietro Ferrero, a bakery owner in Alba, Italy. The first jar of Nutella left the factory in Alba on April 20, 1964, and the product became an instant success. Today, Nutella is produced in various facilities worldwide.
Two of the four Ferrero plants in Italy produce Nutella, located in Alba, Piedmont, and Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi in Campania. In France, Nutella is produced in Villers-Écalles, and for Eastern Europe (including Southeast Europe, Poland, Turkey, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia) and South Africa, it is manufactured in Warsaw and Manisa. Germany and Northern Europe's supply comes from the Ferrero plant in Stadtallendorf, which has been operational since 1956. Russia also has a Nutella production plant in Vladimir.
Outside of Europe, Ferrero has a plant in Poços de Caldas, Brazil, supplying the Brazilian market and exporting overseas. Nutella is also manufactured in Turkey and exported to countries like India. The global production of Nutella in 2013 was about 350,000 tonnes.
The manufacturing process for Nutella is similar to generic chocolate spread production. It involves the extraction of cocoa powder from cocoa beans, which are harvested from cocoa trees and dried for about ten days before processing. The beans are then roasted to reduce them to a liquid form, after which the paste is sent to presses to squeeze out the cocoa butter. The second process involves hazelnuts, which undergo quality control and are chopped, cleaned, and roasted before being mixed with the cocoa powder, sugar, vanillin, and skim milk in a large tank to form a paste-like spread.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Nutella does not contain plastic. Its main ingredients are sugar, palm oil, hazelnuts, cocoa solids, and skimmed milk.
The Nutella jar is made of glass, but the lid is made of plastic. The jar is recyclable and can be reused.
The characteristic 'clack' sound is made by the paper disk inside the jar lid, which ensures that the jar has never been opened before.
Nutella was first introduced in 1964 by the Italian company Ferrero. It was derived from a 1946 product called Pasta Gianduja, which was sold as a solid block. In 1951, Ferrero started selling a creamy version called Supercrema gianduja. In 1963, Ferrero's son revamped the product, and it was renamed "Nutella".


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