Is Ben's Mexican Style Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Uncle Ben
This page reviews Ben's Mexican Style by Uncle Ben as a food. Its current score is 75/100, suggesting that it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: Natural Flavouring, Yeast Extract.
75 / 100
Why score is 75
The composition includes steamed parboiled long grain rice and red pepper, but also contains natural flavoring and yeast extract, which raise quality concerns. Overall, the product has a mix of good and medium ingredients.
Main concern
Natural flavoring is a vague term that can include various processed components, raising 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
- Steamed parboiled long grain rice is a good source of carbohydrates and provides a base for this dish.
- Red pepper adds natural color and flavor, contributing to the overall taste profile.
- Citric acid acts as an acidulant, enhancing flavor and preserving freshness.
- Garlic powder is a natural flavor enhancer, providing depth to the dish.
Concerns
- Natural flavoring is a vague term that can include various processed components, raising quality concerns.
- Yeast extract is a flavor enhancer that may contain MSG, which can be problematic for some consumers.
- Double concentrated tomato paste may contain added sugars or preservatives, affecting overall quality.
- Sunflower oil is a refined oil, which may not be as healthy as less processed alternatives.
Ingredients breakdown
The ingredient notes below are written to explain what each ingredient does in this food and why it matters.
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Is Steamed Parboiled Long Grain Rice safe in this food?
Good
Steamed Parboiled Long Grain Rice is used here as base. Steamed parboiled long grain rice serves as the primary ingredient, providing a solid carbohydrate base for the dish. Its processing retains some nutrients.
Role in formula: base
Original: Steamed parboiled long grain rice
Read the full ingredient profile for Steamed Parboiled Long Grain Rice
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Is Red Pepper safe in this food?
Good
Red Pepper is used here as natural_extract. Red pepper contributes natural flavor and color, enhancing the dish's appeal and providing some vitamins.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: red pepper
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Is Double Concentrated Tomato Paste safe in this food?
Medium
Double Concentrated Tomato Paste is used here as flavor. Double concentrated tomato paste adds rich flavor but may include added sugars or preservatives, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: double concentrated tomato paste
Read the full ingredient profile for Double Concentrated Tomato Paste
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Is Sunflower Oil safe in this food?
Medium
Sunflower Oil is used here as base. Sunflower oil is a refined oil that may not provide the same health benefits as less processed oils, raising some concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: sunflower oil
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Is Natural Flavouring safe in this food?
Bad
Natural Flavouring is used here as flavor. Natural flavouring is a vague term that can encompass various processed components, leading to quality concerns regarding transparency.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural flavouring
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Is Spices safe in this food?
Good
Spices is used here as flavor. Spices enhance flavor naturally, contributing to the overall taste without the need for artificial additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: spices
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Is Jalapeno Pepper safe in this food?
Good
Jalapeno Pepper is used here as natural_extract. Jalapeno pepper adds heat and flavor, enhancing the dish's complexity and appeal.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: jalapeno pepper
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Is Salt safe in this food?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt is essential for flavor enhancement but should be consumed in moderation due to potential health concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
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Is Onion Powder safe in this food?
Good
Onion Powder is used here as flavor. Onion powder provides a concentrated onion flavor, enhancing the overall taste profile of the dish.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: onion powder
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Is Yeast Extract safe in this food?
Bad
Yeast Extract is used here as flavor. Yeast extract is a flavor enhancer that may contain MSG, which can be problematic for some consumers and raises quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: yeast extract
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Is Citric Acid safe in this food?
Good
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid acts as an acidulant, enhancing flavor and preserving freshness in the product.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: acid (citric acid)
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Is Garlic Powder safe in this food?
Good
Garlic Powder is used here as flavor. Garlic powder is a natural flavor enhancer, providing depth and richness to the dish without artificial additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: garlic powder
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: 3930789
More from this brand: Uncle Ben products in Zerotox
Similar products: food in Zerotox database
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