Rice cakes are one of the most loved and widespread snacks on our tables: light, practical and often chosen as a “healthy” alternative to bread. But are we really sure that they are all the same? A new survey by Altroconsumo, which examined over 130 products including biscuits and cereal-based snacks, shows that quality varies greatly even within the same category, and that the right choice depends above all on the composition of the product.
Before moving on to the ranking, however, it is good to remember a fundamental point: rice cakes remain ultra-processed foods. This does not mean that they should be avoided, but that they should be consumed with awareness, without automatically considering them “light” or a substitute for less processed foods such as wholemeal bread or grain cereals.
How the test was conducted
Altroconsumo analyzed the ingredients and nutritional values of over 130 biscuits and triangles made from rice, corn, legumes and other cereals, including sweet versions. Each product was given a score from 0 to 100, calculated through an algorithm that takes into account various parameters:
Based on the score obtained, the products are classified on a scale ranging from “very good” to “very poor”, to help consumers navigate the supermarket shelves more easily.
The ranking of rice cakes
Here is how the rice cakes analyzed by Altroconsumo positioned themselves:
Very good
Good
The best ever: SELEX Vivi Bene
The winner among all the rice cakes tested are the SELEX VIVI BENE Organic Rice Cakes, which with 87 points also earn the recognition of “best composition” within the category. Immediately afterwards, a large group of products – including consumer brands and private labels from supermarkets such as Conad, Carrefour, Lidl, Coop, Esselunga and Pam – scores a solid 81 points, demonstrating that even the cheapest alternatives can offer a good level of nutritional composition.
Slightly further back, but still in the “good” range, we find products such as those of Riso Scotti and Certossa in the savory variant, confirming that even small differences in the recipe – such as the addition of salt or other ingredients – can affect the final score.
How to choose the best rice cakes
Rice cakes are suitable for very versatile consumption: they can replace bread at the table, become a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack, or be enjoyed alone or accompanied by spreadable cheese and jam. To choose the ones best suited to your needs, the advice is to always read the label carefully, favoring products with few ingredients, without superfluous additives and with a good intake of fibre, without forgetting that, since these are ultra-processed foods, they should be included in a varied and balanced diet without abusing them.
