Is Broccoli Cheddar Au Gratin Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Signature Cafe
Broccoli Cheddar Au Gratin is a food from Signature Cafe. It has a Zerotox safety score of 60/100, which means it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The main ingredients worth reviewing are Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes several processed ingredients such as sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate, which are synthetic preservatives that raise quality concerns. Additionally, the presence of artificial color and modified corn starch indicates a highly processed product, affecting its overall safety and quality assessment.
Main concern
Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are synthetic preservatives that may raise safety 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 broccoli, a natural vegetable that provides essential nutrients.
- Includes cheddar cheese, which adds flavor and contributes to the overall taste profile.
Concerns
- Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are synthetic preservatives that may raise safety concerns.
- Margarine contains partially hydrogenated oils, which are associated with health risks.
Who should avoid this product?
This food may not be the best fit for:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Each ingredient below is explained in the context of this food so the page answers more than a simple label list.
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Is Broccoli safe in this food?
Good
Broccoli is used here as base. Broccoli is a natural vegetable included in this product, providing essential vitamins and minerals. Its presence supports the overall nutritional value of the dish.
Role in formula: base
Original: BROCCOLI
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Is Milk safe in this food?
Good
Milk is used here as base. Milk is a natural ingredient that contributes to the creaminess and flavor of the dish. It provides calcium and other nutrients, enhancing the product's quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: MILK
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Is Water safe in this food?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as a solvent in this product, helping to combine ingredients and maintain the desired consistency without raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: WATER
-
Is Cheese Spread safe in this food?
Medium
Cheese Spread is used here as flavor. Cheese spread contains several processed components, including sodium phosphate and whey protein concentrate, which may raise concerns about the overall quality and processing level of the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: CHEESE SPREAD (AMERICAN CHEESE [PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES], WATER, WHEY, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, SKIM MILK, SALT, MILKFAT, ANNATTO AND APOCAROTENAL [FOR COLOR])
-
Is Cheddar Cheese safe in this food?
Good
Cheddar Cheese is used here as flavor. Cheddar cheese is a natural ingredient that enhances the flavor profile of the dish. It is made from pasteurized milk and cheese culture, contributing positively to the overall quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: CHEDDAR CHEESE (CHEDDAR CHEESE [PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT ENZYMES], WATER, SALT ANNATTO [COLOR])
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Is Margarine safe in this food?
Medium
Margarine is used here as emulsifier. Margarine contains partially hydrogenated oils, which are associated with health risks. Its use as an emulsifier raises concerns about the overall health implications of the product.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: MARGARINE (VEGETABLE OIL BLEND [LIQUID SOYBEAN OIL, PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN OIL], ARTIFICIAL COLOR, WATER, SALT, WHEY SOLIDS [MILK], SOY LECITHIN, VEGETABLE MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, SODIUM BENZOATE [USED TO PROTECT QUALITY], CITRIC ACID, VITAMIN A PALMITATE)
-
Is Modified Corn Starch safe in this food?
Medium
Modified Corn Starch is used here as thickener. Modified corn starch is used as a thickening agent in this product. While it helps achieve the desired texture, it is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns about the overall quality.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: MODIFIED CORN STARCH
-
Is Sodium Benzoate safe in this food?
Bad
Sodium Benzoate is used here as preservative. Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative used to extend shelf life. Its presence raises concerns about the use of artificial additives in food products.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: SODIUM BENZOATE
-
Is Potassium Sorbate safe in this food?
Bad
Potassium Sorbate is used here as preservative. Potassium sorbate is another synthetic preservative that helps prevent spoilage. Its inclusion indicates a reliance on artificial preservatives, which may affect the product's quality.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: POTASSIUM SORBATE
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Is Annatto safe in this food?
Medium
Annatto is used here as colorant. Annatto is a natural colorant used to enhance the visual appeal of the product. While it is derived from natural sources, its processing raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: ANNATTO AND APOCAROTENAL [FOR COLOR]
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: 2390865
More from this brand: Signature Cafe products in Zerotox
Similar products: food in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: milk
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.