Is Ben's Original Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Favourites Chorizo And Vegetable Paella
Ben's Original is one of the ready meal products analyzed by Zerotox for Favourites Chorizo And Vegetable Paella. 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 Maltodextrin, Sodium Nitrite affect the overall evaluation.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes sodium nitrite as a preservative and maltodextrin, indicating some processed elements. The presence of chorizo and various flavorings raises quality concerns.
Main concern
Sodium nitrite is a synthetic preservative that raises safety concerns regarding processed meats.
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 steamed parboiled long grain rice, a minimally processed ingredient that provides a good base.
- Includes red pepper and peas, which add some natural vegetable content to the meal.
Concerns
- Sodium nitrite is a synthetic preservative that raises safety concerns regarding processed meats.
- Maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate that may not provide significant nutritional benefits.
Who should avoid this product?
This product may be less suitable for:
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Instead of a flat list, this section explains each ingredient in the context of this ready meal.
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Is Steamed Parboiled Long Grain Rice safe in this ready meal?
Good
Steamed Parboiled Long Grain Rice is used here as base. Steamed parboiled long grain rice serves as the primary ingredient, providing a good source of carbohydrates with minimal processing.
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 Chorizo safe in this ready meal?
Medium
Chorizo is used here as flavor. Chorizo adds flavor but contains sodium nitrite as a preservative, raising concerns about synthetic additives in processed meats.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: chorizo (pork, water, potato starch, herbs, spices, pork protein, salt, colour (paprika extract), garlic, preservative (sodium nitrite))
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Is Red Pepper safe in this ready meal?
Good
Red Pepper is used here as natural_extract. Red pepper contributes natural flavor and color, enhancing the nutritional profile with vitamins and antioxidants.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: red pepper
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Is Peas safe in this ready meal?
Good
Peas is used here as natural_extract. Peas provide a source of plant-based protein and fiber, contributing positively to the meal's overall nutritional value.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: peas
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Is Sunflower Oil safe in this ready meal?
Medium
Sunflower Oil is used here as base. Sunflower oil is a common cooking oil that adds fat but is often refined, which may raise some quality concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: sunflower oil
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Is Double Concentrated Tomato Paste safe in this ready meal?
Medium
Double Concentrated Tomato Paste is used here as flavor. Tomato paste enhances flavor and provides some nutrients, but its concentrated form may indicate processing.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: double concentrated tomato paste
Read the full ingredient profile for Double Concentrated Tomato Paste
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Is Maltodextrin safe in this ready meal?
Bad
Maltodextrin is used here as thickener. Maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate that can raise blood sugar levels and lacks nutritional benefits.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: maltodextrin
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Is Sodium Nitrite safe in this ready meal?
Bad
Sodium Nitrite is used here as preservative. Sodium nitrite is a synthetic preservative used to enhance color and shelf life but raises health concerns associated with processed meats.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: preservative (sodium nitrite)
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: 3930822
More from this brand: Favourites Chorizo And Vegetable Paella products in Zerotox
Similar products: ready_meal in Zerotox database
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.