Is Chicken, Leek & Smoked Bacon Pie Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Mark Spencer
This page reviews Chicken, Leek & Smoked Bacon Pie by Mark Spencer as a ready meal. Its current score is 60/100, suggesting that it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The composition includes several processed ingredients like sodium nitrite and sugar, which raise quality concerns. The presence of double cream and unsalted butter indicates a rich, but potentially less healthy profile.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes several processed ingredients like sodium nitrite and sugar, which raise quality concerns. The presence of double cream and unsalted butter indicates a rich, but potentially less healthy profile.
Main concern
Contains sodium nitrite, a synthetic preservative that raises safety concerns due to potential health risks.
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 roast British chicken, providing a source of meat with flavor and texture.
- Includes leeks and onions, which add natural flavor and some nutritional value.
- Uses rapeseed oil, a source of unsaturated fats, which is generally considered healthier than saturated fats.
- Fortified with calcium and iron, enhancing its nutritional profile.
Concerns
- Contains sodium nitrite, a synthetic preservative that raises safety concerns due to potential health risks.
- Includes sugar, which contributes to the processed nature of the product and may raise health concerns.
- Double cream and unsalted butter add saturated fat, which can be a concern for heart health.
- The presence of yeast extract may indicate added flavor enhancers, which can be processed.
Who should avoid this product?
You may want to be cautious with this product if you are:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
The ingredient notes below are written to explain what each ingredient does in this ready meal and why it matters.
-
Is Roast British Chicken safe in this ready meal?
Good
Roast British Chicken is used here as base. Roast British chicken provides a primary source of protein and flavor in this pie, contributing positively to its overall quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: Roast British Chicken
-
Is Wheatflour safe in this ready meal?
Medium
Wheatflour is used here as base. Wheat flour serves as a primary ingredient for the pie crust, but its refined nature raises concerns about nutritional value.
Role in formula: base
Original: Wheatflour
-
Is Unsalted Butter safe in this ready meal?
Medium
Unsalted Butter is used here as base. Unsalted butter adds richness and flavor, but it is high in saturated fat, which can be a concern for health.
Role in formula: base
Original: Unsalted Butter (Milk)
-
Is Double Cream safe in this ready meal?
Medium
Double Cream is used here as base. Double cream contributes to the pie's creamy texture and flavor, but it is also high in saturated fat.
Role in formula: base
Original: Double Cream (Milk)
-
Is Leeks safe in this ready meal?
Good
Leeks is used here as natural_extract. Leeks add flavor and some nutritional benefits, being a source of vitamins and minerals.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Leeks
-
Is Smoked Bacon safe in this ready meal?
Medium
Smoked Bacon is used here as base. Smoked bacon enhances flavor but is high in sodium and saturated fat, raising health concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: Smoked Bacon (British Pork (86%), Water Curing Salt (Salt Preservative: Sodium Nitrite, Sodium Nitrate, Potassium Nitrate), Sugar, Antioxidant: E301)
-
Is Water safe in this ready meal?
Good
Water is used here as solvent. Water is a necessary ingredient for moisture and texture in the pie, contributing positively without concerns.
Role in formula: solvent
Original: Water
-
Is Onions safe in this ready meal?
Good
Onions is used here as natural_extract. Onions provide flavor and some nutritional benefits, enhancing the overall quality of the dish.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Onions
-
Is Chicken Fat safe in this ready meal?
Medium
Chicken Fat is used here as base. Chicken fat adds flavor and moisture but is high in saturated fat, which can be a concern for health.
Role in formula: base
Original: Chicken Fat
-
Is Rapeseed Oil safe in this ready meal?
Good
Rapeseed Oil is used here as base. Rapeseed oil is a source of unsaturated fats, which are generally considered healthier than saturated fats.
Role in formula: base
Original: Rapeseed Oil
-
Is Pasteurised Egg White safe in this ready meal?
Good
Pasteurised Egg White is used here as base. Pasteurized egg white adds protein and helps with the structure of the pie, contributing positively to its quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: Pasteurised Egg White
-
Is Wine Vinegar safe in this ready meal?
Good
Wine Vinegar is used here as acidulant. Wine vinegar adds acidity and flavor, enhancing the overall taste profile without raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Wine Vinegar
-
Is Salt safe in this ready meal?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor but raises concerns due to its high sodium content, which can affect health.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Salt
-
Is Yeast Extract safe in this ready meal?
Medium
Yeast Extract is used here as flavor. Yeast extract is used for flavor enhancement but may indicate processed ingredients, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Yeast Extract
-
Is Poppy Seeds safe in this ready meal?
Good
Poppy Seeds is used here as natural_extract. Poppy seeds add texture and a slight nutty flavor, contributing positively to the overall quality.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Poppy Seeds
-
Is Honey safe in this ready meal?
Good
Honey is used here as sweetener. Honey serves as a natural sweetener, adding flavor and some nutritional benefits without raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Honey
-
Is Cracked Black Pepper safe in this ready meal?
Good
Cracked Black Pepper is used here as flavor. Cracked black pepper enhances flavor and adds a bit of spice, contributing positively to the taste profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Cracked Black Pepper
-
Is Garlic Puree safe in this ready meal?
Good
Garlic Puree is used here as flavor. Garlic purée adds depth of flavor and potential health benefits, enhancing the overall quality of the dish.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Garlic Purée
-
Is Thyme safe in this ready meal?
Good
Thyme is used here as natural_extract. Thyme adds aromatic flavor and potential health benefits, contributing positively to the dish's quality.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Thyme
-
Is Parsley safe in this ready meal?
Good
Parsley is used here as natural_extract. Parsley adds freshness and flavor, enhancing the overall quality and nutritional profile of the pie.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Parsley
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: 3219674
More from this brand: Mark Spencer products in Zerotox
Similar products: ready_meal in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: milk
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.