Is Cajun Mix Safe? Ingredient Analysis
New Century Snacks
Cajun Mix is one of the snack products analyzed by Zerotox for New Century Snacks. 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 Sugar, Butter, Maltodextrin affect the overall evaluation.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes several processed ingredients like butter toffee peanuts and honey sesame sticks, which raise quality concerns. The presence of added sugars and oils indicates a less favorable composition.
Main concern
Butter toffee peanuts contain added sugar and butter, raising concerns about excessive sweetness.
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 peanuts and almonds, which provide healthy fats and protein.
- Inclusion of spices like paprika and cayenne adds flavor and potential antioxidant benefits.
- Honey sesame sticks contribute a unique texture and flavor profile.
- Cajun seasoning enhances the overall taste experience.
Concerns
- Butter toffee peanuts contain added sugar and butter, raising concerns about excessive sweetness.
- Honey coating in sesame sticks includes sucrose, indicating processed sugars.
- Vegetable oil may include less healthy oils, impacting overall quality.
- Presence of maltodextrin in honey sesame sticks raises concerns about processed ingredients.
Who should avoid this product?
This product may be less suitable for:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Instead of a flat list, this section explains each ingredient in the context of this snack.
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Is Peanuts safe in this snack?
Good
Peanuts is used here as base. Peanuts provide healthy fats and protein, contributing positively to the snack's nutritional profile.
Role in formula: base
Original: peanuts
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Is Sugar safe in this snack?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is added to enhance sweetness but raises concerns about excessive sugar intake in this snack.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Butter safe in this snack?
Bad
Butter is used here as base. Butter adds richness but also contributes saturated fat, which may be a concern for some consumers.
Role in formula: base
Original: butter [milk]
-
Is Salt safe in this snack?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor but excessive consumption can lead to health issues, raising moderate concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
-
Is High Oleic Canola Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
High Oleic Canola Oil is used here as base. This oil is used for frying and adds calories, but its high oleic content is considered healthier than regular canola oil.
Role in formula: base
Original: high oleic canola oil
-
Is Honey safe in this snack?
Good
Honey is used here as sweetener. Honey is a natural sweetener that adds flavor and may have some health benefits compared to refined sugars.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: honey
-
Is Unbleached Wheat Flour safe in this snack?
Medium
Unbleached Wheat Flour is used here as base. This flour is less processed than bleached flour, but still contributes to carbohydrate content.
Role in formula: base
Original: unbleached wheat flour [contains malted barley flour as a natural enzyme additive]
-
Is Sesame Seeds safe in this snack?
Good
Sesame Seeds is used here as base. Sesame seeds are a source of healthy fats and provide a nutty flavor, enhancing the snack's nutritional value.
Role in formula: base
Original: sesame seeds
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Is Cajun Seasoning safe in this snack?
Medium
Cajun Seasoning is used here as flavor. Cajun seasoning adds flavor complexity but may contain salt and spices that could raise sodium levels.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: cajun seasoning [salt, spices {includes paprika}, dehydrated onion, torula yeast, green bell pepper, dehydrated garlic, cocoa powder {processed with alkali}, oleoresin paprika {color}]
-
Is Maltodextrin safe in this snack?
Bad
Maltodextrin is used here as thickener. Maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate that can spike blood sugar levels, raising concerns about its inclusion.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: maltodextrin
-
Is Turmeric safe in this snack?
Good
Turmeric is used here as colorant. Turmeric is a natural colorant with potential anti-inflammatory properties, contributing positively to the snack.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: turmeric [color]
-
Is Beet Powder safe in this snack?
Good
Beet Powder is used here as colorant. Beet powder is a natural colorant that adds visual appeal and may have health benefits, enhancing the product's quality.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: beet powder [color]
-
Is Silicon Dioxide safe in this snack?
Bad
Silicon Dioxide is used here as anti-caking agent. Silicon dioxide is used to prevent clumping but is a synthetic additive that raises quality concerns.
Role in formula: anti-caking agent
Original: silicon dioxide [less than 2% to prevent caking]
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: 3397464
More from this brand: New Century Snacks products in Zerotox
Similar products: snack in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: peanut , wheat
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.