Is Burger Sauce Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Heinz
Heinz's Burger 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 Smokey Grilled Flavor, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes preservatives like potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate, which raise concerns about synthetic additives. Modified starches and xanthan gum are also present, indicating a processed nature.
Main concern
Potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate are synthetic preservatives that 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
- Natural vinegar contributes to flavor and acts as a preservative, supporting the moderate rating.
- Tocopherols serve as antioxidants, which can help maintain product quality over time.
Concerns
- Potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate are synthetic preservatives that raise quality concerns.
- Modified starches (E1442, E1450) indicate processing, which may affect the overall ingredient quality.
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 Water safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as the primary solvent in this sauce, providing the necessary liquid base for the other ingredients.
Role in formula: base
Original: Water
-
Is Non Hydrogenated Vegetable Refined Oil safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Non Hydrogenated Vegetable Refined Oil is used here as base. This oil blend provides fat content and mouthfeel, but its refined nature raises some concerns about processing.
Role in formula: base
Original: Non-hydrogenated Vegetable Refined Oil (Soybean/Sunflower)
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Is Modified Starches safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Modified Starches is used here as thickener. Modified starches (E1442, E1450) are used for thickening and stabilizing the sauce, but they indicate a level of processing that may affect quality.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Modified Starches (E1442, E1450)
-
Is Sugar safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar adds sweetness to balance flavors, but its presence raises concerns about added sugars in processed foods.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sugar
-
Is Natural Vinegar safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Natural Vinegar is used here as flavor. Natural vinegar enhances flavor and acts as a preservative, contributing positively to the sauce's profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Natural Vinegar
-
Is Salt safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt is essential for flavor enhancement and preservation, contributing to the overall taste of the sauce.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Salt
-
Is Smokey Grilled Flavor safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Smokey Grilled Flavor is used here as flavor. This flavoring is likely artificial, raising concerns about synthetic additives in the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Smokey Grilled Flavor
-
Is Potassium Sorbate safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Potassium Sorbate is used here as preservative. Potassium sorbate is a synthetic preservative used to inhibit microbial growth, raising concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: Preservatives (Potassium Sorbate)
-
Is Sodium Benzoate safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Sodium Benzoate is used here as preservative. Sodium benzoate is another synthetic preservative that can raise quality concerns due to its artificial nature.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: Sodium Benzoate
-
Is Xanthan Gum safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Xanthan Gum is used here as thickener. Xanthan gum is a natural thickener that helps stabilize the sauce, but it is still a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Thickener (Xanthan Gum)
-
Is Mustard Flour safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Mustard Flour is used here as flavor. Mustard flour adds a distinct flavor and is a natural ingredient, contributing positively to the sauce's profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Mustard Flour
-
Is Natural Color safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Natural Color is used here as colorant. Paprika extract is used for coloring, providing a natural alternative to synthetic colorants.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: Natural Color (Paprika Extract)
-
Is Tocopherols safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Tocopherols is used here as antioxidant. Tocopherols are natural antioxidants that help preserve the sauce's quality and extend shelf life.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: Antioxidants (Tocopherols)
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Is Edta safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Edta is used here as chelating_agent. EDTA is a synthetic chelating agent that raises concerns about artificial additives in the product.
Role in formula: chelating_agent
Original: EDTA
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is a natural acid that helps regulate acidity and enhance flavor, contributing positively to the sauce.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid)
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: 4212037
More from this brand: Heinz products in Zerotox
Similar products: sauce_condiment 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.