Is Ben's Original Express Rice Mediterranean Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Ben's Original
Ben's Original Express Rice Mediterranean is one of the food products analyzed by Zerotox for Ben's Original. The product scores 60/100 in Zerotox, meaning it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The sections below explain why ingredients like Natural Flavor, Sugar affect the overall evaluation.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes parboiled long-grain rice and concentrated tomato paste, but also contains sugar and natural flavoring, raising quality concerns. The presence of multiple processed ingredients indicates a moderate rating.
Main concern
Sugar is included, which raises concerns about unnecessary sweetness in the product.
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
- Parboiled long-grain rice is a staple ingredient, providing a good base for meals.
- Tomato paste and tomato powder contribute natural flavors and color to the dish.
Concerns
- Sugar is included, which raises concerns about unnecessary sweetness in the product.
- Natural flavoring is vague and may indicate the presence of processed additives.
Who should avoid this product?
This product may be less suitable for:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
Ingredients breakdown
Instead of a flat list, this section explains each ingredient in the context of this food.
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Is Parboiled Long Grain Rice safe in this food?
Good
Parboiled Long Grain Rice is used here as base. Parboiled long-grain rice serves as the main ingredient, providing a solid base for the dish. Its processing retains nutrients while ensuring a fluffy texture.
Role in formula: base
Original: Dampfgegarter, parboiled Langkornreis
Read the full ingredient profile for Parboiled Long Grain Rice
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Is Concentrated Tomato Paste safe in this food?
Medium
Concentrated Tomato Paste is used here as flavor. Concentrated tomato paste enhances the flavor profile and adds color. However, its processing raises concerns about the presence of additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: doppelt konzentriertes Tomatenmark
Read the full ingredient profile for Concentrated Tomato Paste
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Is Sunflower Oil safe in this food?
Medium
Sunflower Oil is used here as emulsifier. Sunflower oil is used for texture and moisture. While it is a common cooking oil, its refined nature may raise some quality concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: Sonnenblumenöl
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Is Tomato Powder safe in this food?
Medium
Tomato Powder is used here as flavor. Tomato powder adds flavor and color, but its processing may diminish some nutritional value compared to fresh tomatoes.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Tomatenpulver
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Is Basil safe in this food?
Good
Basil is used here as natural_extract. Basil is a natural herb that enhances flavor and aroma, contributing positively to the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Basilikum
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Is Natural Flavor safe in this food?
Bad
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavoring is often vague and can include various additives, raising concerns about transparency and quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natürliches Aroma
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Is Salt safe in this food?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt is used for flavor enhancement, but excessive use can lead to health concerns, particularly in processed foods.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Salz
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Is Sugar safe in this food?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is added, which can contribute to unnecessary sweetness and raises concerns about health implications in processed foods.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Zucker
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Is Yeast Extract safe in this food?
Medium
Yeast Extract is used here as flavor. Yeast extract is used for flavor enhancement, but it may contain MSG or other additives, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Hefeextrakt
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Is Onion Powder safe in this food?
Medium
Onion Powder is used here as flavor. Onion powder adds flavor but is a processed form of onion, which may lack some nutritional benefits of fresh onions.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Zwiebelpulver
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Is Herbs safe in this food?
Good
Herbs is used here as natural_extract. Herbs contribute natural flavors and potential health benefits, enhancing the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Kräuter
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Is Citric Acid safe in this food?
Medium
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used as a souring agent and preservative, but its synthetic nature raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Säuerungsmittel (Citronensäure)
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Is Garlic Powder safe in this food?
Good
Garlic Powder is used here as flavor. Garlic powder adds flavor and potential health benefits, contributing positively to the product's quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Knoblauchpulver
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Is Spices safe in this food?
Good
Spices is used here as flavor. Spices enhance flavor and aroma, contributing positively to the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Gewürze
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: 3930819
More from this brand: Ben's Original products in Zerotox
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Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.