Is Caramel Café Ice-Cream Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Ben & Jerry's
Ben & Jerry's's Caramel Café Ice-Cream is reviewed here as a dessert. 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 Carrageenan.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes sugar and glucose syrup, which are processed sweeteners, and carrageenan, a thickener with safety concerns. These ingredients indicate a moderately processed product with mixed quality implications.
Main concern
High sugar content from sugar and glucose syrup raises concerns about excessive sweetness and processing.
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 natural flavorings like vanilla extract, which enhance taste without synthetic additives.
- Includes fairtrade cocoa, indicating ethical sourcing and support for sustainable practices.
Concerns
- High sugar content from sugar and glucose syrup raises concerns about excessive sweetness and processing.
- Carrageenan is included as a stabilizer, which has raised safety concerns in some studies.
Who should avoid this product?
This formula may not suit:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
Ingredients breakdown
Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this dessert, not just listed as a raw label.
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Is Water safe in this dessert?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as the primary solvent in this ice cream, contributing to its texture and consistency.
Role in formula: base
Original: water
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Is Sugar safe in this dessert?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a common sweetener that enhances flavor but contributes to high caloric content and potential health concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Glucose Syrup safe in this dessert?
Medium
Glucose Syrup is used here as sweetener. Glucose syrup is a processed sweetener that adds sweetness and affects texture, raising concerns about high sugar intake.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: glucose syrup
-
Is Coconut Fat safe in this dessert?
Medium
Coconut Fat is used here as base. Coconut fat adds creaminess and flavor but is a processed fat that may raise concerns about saturated fat content.
Role in formula: base
Original: coconut fat
-
Is Oat Syrup safe in this dessert?
Medium
Oat Syrup is used here as sweetener. Oat syrup is a sweetener derived from oats, contributing to flavor and texture but is still a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: oat syrup
-
Is Wheat Flour safe in this dessert?
Medium
Wheat Flour is used here as base. Wheat flour is used for texture but may pose gluten concerns for sensitive individuals.
Role in formula: base
Original: wheat flour
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Is Liquid Coffee Extract safe in this dessert?
Good
Liquid Coffee Extract is used here as flavor. Liquid coffee extract provides authentic coffee flavor, enhancing the overall taste profile of the ice cream.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: fiquid coffee extract
-
Is Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder safe in this dessert?
Good
Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder is used here as flavor. Fat-reduced cocoa powder adds chocolate flavor while minimizing fat content, contributing positively to taste.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: fat-reduced cocoa powder
Read the full ingredient profile for Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder
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Is Pea Protein safe in this dessert?
Medium
Pea Protein is used here as base. Pea protein is a plant-based protein source that adds nutritional value but is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: base
Original: pea protein
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Is Fava Bean Protein safe in this dessert?
Medium
Fava Bean Protein is used here as base. Fava bean protein contributes to the protein content but is also a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: base
Original: fava bean protein
-
Is Guar Gum safe in this dessert?
Medium
Guar Gum is used here as stabilizer. Guar gum is a thickening agent that improves texture but is a processed ingredient with mixed safety assessments.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: stabilisers (guar gum, locust bean gum, carrageenan pectin)
-
Is Locust Bean Gum safe in this dessert?
Medium
Locust Bean Gum is used here as stabilizer. Locust bean gum is used for thickening and stabilizing but is a processed ingredient with potential digestive concerns.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: locust bean gum
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Is Carrageenan safe in this dessert?
Bad
Carrageenan is used here as stabilizer. Carrageenan is a thickener that has raised safety concerns due to potential digestive issues in some individuals.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: carrageenan
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Is Pectin safe in this dessert?
Medium
Pectin is used here as stabilizer. Pectin is a natural thickener derived from fruits, contributing to texture without significant safety concerns.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: pectin
-
Is Modified Corn Starch safe in this dessert?
Medium
Modified Corn Starch is used here as thickener. Modified corn starch is used for thickening and stabilizing but is a processed ingredient with mixed safety implications.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: modified com starch
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Is Molasses safe in this dessert?
Medium
Molasses is used here as sweetener. Molasses adds sweetness and flavor but is still a processed ingredient with high sugar content.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: molasses
-
Is Salt safe in this dessert?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor and balances sweetness, contributing positively to the overall taste profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
-
Is Natural Flavorings safe in this dessert?
Medium
Natural Flavorings is used here as flavor. Natural flavorings enhance taste but may vary in quality and processing, raising some concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural flavourings
-
Is Sea Salt safe in this dessert?
Good
Sea Salt is used here as flavor. Sea salt is a natural flavor enhancer that adds depth to the taste without synthetic additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: sea salt
-
Is Raising Agent safe in this dessert?
Medium
Raising Agent is used here as leavening agent. Sodium bicarbonate is used as a raising agent, contributing to texture but is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: leavening agent
Original: raising agent (sodium bicarbonate)
-
Is Barley Malt Extract safe in this dessert?
Medium
Barley Malt Extract is used here as flavor. Barley malt extract adds flavor and sweetness but is a processed ingredient that may raise gluten concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: barley malt extract
-
Is Vanilla Extract safe in this dessert?
Good
Vanilla Extract is used here as flavor. Vanilla extract provides natural flavoring, enhancing the overall taste without synthetic additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: vanilla extract
-
Is Soy Lecithin safe in this dessert?
Medium
Soy Lecithin is used here as emulsifier. Soy lecithin is an emulsifier that helps blend ingredients but is a processed ingredient with mixed safety assessments.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: emulsifer soy lecithins)
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Is Sunflower Oil safe in this dessert?
Medium
Sunflower Oil is used here as fat. Sunflower oil is a common fat source that contributes to texture but is a processed oil with mixed health implications.
Role in formula: fat
Original: sunflower oil
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this dessert?
Medium
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used as an acidity regulator, enhancing flavor but is a processed ingredient.
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: 4206023
More from this brand: Ben & Jerry's products in Zerotox
Similar products: dessert in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: gluten
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.