Is Cauliflower Crust Pizza Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Open Nature
Cauliflower Crust Pizza is one of the food products analyzed by Zerotox for Open Nature. 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 Cane Sugar, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid affect the overall evaluation.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes several processed ingredients like tapioca starch and rice flour, alongside natural components like cauliflower and chicken sausage. The presence of preservatives and flavorings raises quality concerns.
Main concern
Contains tapioca starch and rice flour, which are processed and may raise concerns about refined ingredients.
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 cauliflower, a vegetable base that adds fiber and nutrients.
- Includes low moisture mozzarella cheese, which provides flavor and texture.
- Features all-natural chicken sausage, contributing protein and flavor.
- Uses extra virgin olive oil, a healthier fat source.
Concerns
- Contains tapioca starch and rice flour, which are processed and may raise concerns about refined ingredients.
- Includes cane sugar and dextrose, which are added sugars that can affect overall health.
- Natural smoke flavor and flavoring agents may indicate the presence of synthetic additives.
- Presence of preservatives like citric acid and lactic acid raises questions about ingredient quality.
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 food.
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Is Cauliflower safe in this food?
Good
Cauliflower is used here as base. Cauliflower serves as the primary base, providing a low-carb alternative to traditional crusts and adding fiber and vitamins.
Role in formula: base
Original: CAULIFLOWER
-
Is Low Moisture Mozzarella Cheese safe in this food?
Medium
Low Moisture Mozzarella Cheese is used here as base. This cheese adds flavor and texture but is processed, which may raise concerns about additives.
Role in formula: base
Original: LOW MOISTURE MOZZARELLA CHEESE [PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES]
Read the full ingredient profile for Low Moisture Mozzarella Cheese
-
Is Tapioca Starch safe in this food?
Medium
Tapioca Starch is used here as thickener. Tapioca starch is used as a thickening agent, but it is a refined carbohydrate that may not provide nutritional benefits.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: TAPIOCA STARCH
-
Is Rice Flour safe in this food?
Medium
Rice Flour is used here as thickener. Rice flour is included for texture but is a processed ingredient that lacks fiber compared to whole grains.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: RICE FLOUR
-
Is Egg Whites safe in this food?
Good
Egg Whites is used here as base. Egg whites provide protein and help bind the crust, contributing to its structure without added fats.
Role in formula: base
Original: EGG WHITES
-
Is Cane Sugar safe in this food?
Bad
Cane Sugar is used here as sweetener. Cane sugar is added for sweetness but contributes empty calories and can lead to health issues if consumed excessively.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: CANE SUGAR
-
Is Yeast safe in this food?
Good
Yeast is used here as flavor. Yeast is used for leavening, contributing to the texture of the crust without significant health concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: YEAST
-
Is Salt safe in this food?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor but should be consumed in moderation due to potential health risks associated with high sodium intake.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: SALT
-
Is Garlic Powder safe in this food?
Good
Garlic Powder is used here as flavor. Garlic powder adds flavor and has potential health benefits, contributing to the overall taste profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: GARLIC POWDER
-
Is Spices safe in this food?
Good
Spices is used here as flavor. A blend of spices enhances flavor without adding calories or sugars, supporting a more natural taste.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: SPICES
-
Is Xanthan Gum safe in this food?
Medium
Xanthan Gum is used here as stabilizer. Xanthan gum is a thickening agent that helps maintain texture but is a processed ingredient with mixed safety assessments.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: XANTHAN GUM
-
Is Cultured Brown Rice safe in this food?
Good
Cultured Brown Rice is used here as natural_extract. Cultured brown rice adds flavor and may provide some probiotic benefits, enhancing the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: CULTURED BROWN RICE
-
Is Brown Rice Flour safe in this food?
Medium
Brown Rice Flour is used here as thickener. Brown rice flour is a whole grain option that adds fiber but is still a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: BROWN RICE FLOUR
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this food?
Bad
Citric Acid is used here as preservative. Citric acid is a synthetic preservative that can raise concerns about the overall quality of the ingredient list.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: CITRIC ACID
-
Is Lactic Acid safe in this food?
Bad
Lactic Acid is used here as preservative. Lactic acid is used as a preservative but is a processed ingredient that may not align with clean eating principles.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: LACTIC ACID
-
Is Water safe in this food?
Good
Water is used here as solvent. Water is a fundamental ingredient that serves as a solvent, essential for the preparation of the sauce.
Role in formula: solvent
Original: WATER
-
Is Tomato Paste safe in this food?
Good
Tomato Paste is used here as base. Tomato paste provides a rich flavor and is a natural source of vitamins, enhancing the sauce's nutritional profile.
Role in formula: base
Original: TOMATO PASTE
-
Is Seasoning Blend safe in this food?
Medium
Seasoning Blend is used here as flavor. The seasoning blend includes various ingredients that enhance flavor but may contain additives that raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: SEASONING BLEND (CANE SUGAR, SALT, DEHYDRATED ONION AND GARLIC, SPICES)
-
Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil safe in this food?
Good
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is used here as base. Extra virgin olive oil is a healthy fat source that adds flavor and may provide health benefits.
Role in formula: base
Original: EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
-
Is Cooked Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage safe in this food?
Medium
Cooked Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage is used here as flavor. This sausage adds flavor and protein but may contain additives that raise concerns about processed meats.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: ALL NATURAL* COOKED SWEET ITALIAN CHICKEN SAUSAGE (CHICKEN THIGH MEAT, ROASTED RED PEPPER, ROASTED ONION, SEA SALT, ROASTED GARLIC, SPICES, SUGAR, FLAVORING)
-
Is Cooked Pork Belly Crumbles safe in this food?
Medium
Cooked Pork Belly Crumbles is used here as flavor. Pork belly crumbles add richness and flavor but are high in fat and may raise health concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: COOKED PORK BELLY CRUMBLES, GROUND AND FORMED, NATURAL SMOKE FLAVOR ADDED (PORK, SALT, WATER, NATURAL SMOKE FLAVOR [MALTODEXTRIN, SMOKE FLAVOR)
-
Is Uncured Pepperoni safe in this food?
Medium
Uncured Pepperoni is used here as flavor. Uncured pepperoni adds a savory flavor but may contain preservatives and additives that raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: UNCURED PEPPERONI, NO NITRITE, NOT NITRATE ADDED** (PORK, BEEF, SEA SALT, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: NATURAL FLAVORS, CULTURED CELERY JUICE, DEXTROSE, SPICES, EXTRACTIVES OF PAPRIKA, CHERRY POWDER, LACTIC ACID STARTER CULTURE)
-
Is Parmesan Cheese safe in this food?
Medium
Parmesan Cheese is used here as base. Parmesan cheese adds flavor and richness but is a processed dairy product that may contain additives.
Role in formula: base
Original: PARMESAN
-
Is Asiago Cheese safe in this food?
Medium
Asiago Cheese is used here as base. Asiago cheese contributes flavor but is also a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: ASIAGO
-
Is Romano Cheese safe in this food?
Medium
Romano Cheese is used here as base. Romano cheese adds a sharp flavor but is a processed dairy product that may contain additives.
Role in formula: base
Original: ROMANO CHEESES (PASTEURIZED PART-SKIM COW'S MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES)
-
Is Dehydrated Garlic safe in this food?
Good
Dehydrated Garlic is used here as flavor. Dehydrated garlic enhances flavor and may provide health benefits, contributing positively to the overall composition.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: DEHYDRATED GARLIC
-
Is Oregano safe in this food?
Good
Oregano is used here as flavor. Oregano adds flavor and has potential antioxidant properties, enhancing the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: OREGANO
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: 3323785
More from this brand: Open Nature products in Zerotox
Similar products: food in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: milk , egg , wheat
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.