Is Cherrywood Smoked Deli Ham Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Hormel
Cherrywood Smoked Deli Ham is a meat product from Hormel. It has a Zerotox safety score of 60/100, which means it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
This product contains water, salt, and turbinado sugar, which are common in deli meats. However, the presence of celery juice powder and lactic acid starter culture raises some concerns about processing and additives.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
This product contains water, salt, and turbinado sugar, which are common in deli meats. However, the presence of celery juice powder and lactic acid starter culture raises some concerns about processing and additives.
Main concern
The presence of turbinado sugar raises concerns about added sugars in processed meats.
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 water and salt, which are standard ingredients in deli meats.
- Turbinado sugar is less processed than refined sugar, indicating a slightly better quality.
- Celery juice powder is a natural preservative, which may reduce the need for synthetic additives.
Concerns
- The presence of turbinado sugar raises concerns about added sugars in processed meats.
- Lactic acid starter culture, while common, indicates some level of processing that may not appeal to all consumers.
- High sodium content from salt can be a concern for those monitoring their intake.
Ingredients breakdown
Each ingredient below is explained in the context of this meat product so the page answers more than a simple label list.
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Is Water safe in this meat product?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as a base ingredient, contributing to moisture and texture in the deli ham. Its presence is standard in meat products.
Role in formula: base
Original: Water
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Is Salt safe in this meat product?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt is essential for flavor enhancement and preservation in deli meats. While necessary, it raises sodium content concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
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Is Turbinado Sugar safe in this meat product?
Medium
Turbinado Sugar is used here as sweetener. Turbinado sugar is a minimally processed sugar that adds sweetness. Its inclusion indicates some level of sweetness in the product.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: turbinado sugar
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Is Celery Juice Powder safe in this meat product?
Good
Celery Juice Powder is used here as preservative. Celery juice powder acts as a natural preservative, potentially reducing the need for synthetic additives. Its use is a positive aspect.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: celery juice powder
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Is Lactic Acid Starter Culture safe in this meat product?
Medium
Lactic Acid Starter Culture is used here as flavor. Lactic acid starter culture is used for fermentation and flavor development. While common, it indicates processing that may concern some consumers.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: lactic acid starter culture (not from milk)
Read the full ingredient profile for Lactic Acid Starter Culture
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: 2434972
More from this brand: Hormel products in Zerotox
Similar products: meat_product in Zerotox database
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