Is Bar-B-Q Sauce Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Jim N Nick's
Jim N Nick's's Bar-B-Q Sauce is reviewed here as a sauce condiment. Zerotox gives it 60/100 based on the current ingredient profile, so it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The ingredient review below focuses especially on Modified Corn Starch, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate as preservatives, raising concerns about synthetic additives. The presence of high fructose corn syrup and refined soybean oil also indicates a processed nature.
Main concern
Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are synthetic preservatives that may raise quality concerns.
Why it matters: This ingredient is flagged in our analysis based on regulatory and scientific sources. Check the Ingredients section for details and see Data sources for methodology.
Regulation status: Ingredient safety is assessed from EU/EPA/CIR and similar databases; formulations may vary. Always read the product label.
Pros
- Contains natural flavoring and spices, which can enhance the overall taste profile.
- Includes tomato-based ketchup, providing a familiar base for barbecue sauces.
Concerns
- Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are synthetic preservatives that may raise quality concerns.
- High fructose corn syrup and refined soybean oil are processed ingredients that can detract from overall quality.
Who should avoid this product?
This formula may not suit:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this sauce condiment, not just listed as a raw label.
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Is Ketchup safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Ketchup is used here as base. Ketchup serves as the primary base, providing sweetness and tomato flavor. However, it contains high fructose corn syrup, which raises concerns about processed sugars.
Role in formula: base
Original: Ketchup (tomatoes, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, onion powder, natural flavoring)
-
Is Water safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water is a common base in sauces, contributing to the desired consistency without adding any quality concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: water
-
Is Sugar safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar adds sweetness to the sauce, but its presence alongside high fructose corn syrup indicates a high sugar content, which may be a concern for some consumers.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
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Is Distilled Vinegar safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Distilled Vinegar is used here as acidulant. Distilled vinegar provides acidity, balancing the sweetness of the sauce. It is a common ingredient in barbecue sauces.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: distilled vinegar
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Is Worcestershire Sauce safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Worcestershire Sauce is used here as flavor. Worcestershire sauce adds depth of flavor with ingredients like molasses and anchovies, but it also contains caramel color, which is a processed additive.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: worcesershire sauce (molasses, caramel color, garlic powder, sugar, anchovies, tamarind and natural flavor)
-
Is Brown Sugar safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Brown Sugar is used here as sweetener. Brown sugar contributes sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor, but it is still a processed sugar that may raise concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: brown sugar
-
Is Butter safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Butter is used here as flavor. Butter adds richness and flavor to the sauce, but it is a dairy product that may not be suitable for all dietary preferences.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: butter
-
Is Refined Soybean Oil safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Refined Soybean Oil is used here as emulsifier. Refined soybean oil is used for texture and mouthfeel, but it is a processed oil that may raise concerns about quality.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: refined soybean oil
-
Is Modified Corn Starch safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Modified Corn Starch is used here as thickener. Modified corn starch is a processed thickening agent that may raise concerns about its synthetic nature and processing.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: modified corn starch
-
Is Dehydrated Onion safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Dehydrated Onion is used here as flavor. Dehydrated onion provides flavor and aroma, contributing positively to the overall taste profile without significant concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: dehydrated onion
-
Is Spices safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Spices is used here as flavor. Spices enhance the flavor complexity of the sauce, adding depth without raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: spices
-
Is Salt safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt is a common flavor enhancer that helps balance the sweetness and acidity in the sauce.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
-
Is Lemon Juice Concentrate safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Lemon Juice Concentrate is used here as acidulant. Lemon juice concentrate adds acidity and brightness to the flavor profile, enhancing the overall taste.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: lemon juice concentrate
Read the full ingredient profile for Lemon Juice Concentrate
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Is Sodium Benzoate safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Sodium Benzoate is used here as preservative. Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative used to extend shelf life, raising concerns about synthetic additives in the product.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: sodium benzoate
-
Is Potassium Sorbate safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Potassium Sorbate is used here as preservative. Potassium sorbate is another synthetic preservative that helps prevent spoilage, but it raises quality concerns due to its synthetic nature.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: potassium sorbate
How we score
Our safety scores and ingredient breakdowns are based on regulatory and scientific sources. See Data sources & methodology and How Zerotox works for full details.
Product info
Product ID: 3490628
More from this brand: Jim N Nick's products in Zerotox
Similar products: sauce_condiment in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: fish
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.