Is Chili Con Carne Sauce Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Uncle Ben's
Chili Con Carne Sauce is a sauce condiment from Uncle Ben's. It has a Zerotox safety score of 60/100, which means it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The main ingredients worth reviewing are Paprika Extract.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes tomatoes and adzuki beans, but also contains sugar and modified maize starch, which raise concerns about processing and quality. The presence of paprika extract as a colorant adds to the synthetic aspect of the product.
Main concern
Sugar is present, indicating added sweetness that may not be necessary.
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
- Tomatoes (65%) provide a natural base, contributing to flavor and texture.
- Adzuki beans (6.0%) add protein and fiber, enhancing the nutritional profile.
- Spices, including chili powder, offer flavor complexity and a hint of heat.
- Cocoa powder may enhance the depth of flavor, providing a unique taste.
Concerns
- Sugar is present, indicating added sweetness that may not be necessary.
- Modified maize starch is a processed thickener, raising concerns about ingredient quality.
- Paprika extract as a colorant suggests the use of synthetic additives.
- The inclusion of an acidity regulator (lactic acid) indicates further processing.
Ingredients breakdown
Each ingredient below is explained in the context of this sauce condiment so the page answers more than a simple label list.
-
Is Tomatoes safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Tomatoes is used here as base. Tomatoes are the primary ingredient, providing natural flavor and nutrients. Their high content supports a fresh taste and contributes to the sauce's overall quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: tomatoes (65%)
-
Is Onion safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Onion is used here as base. Onion adds depth of flavor and aroma to the sauce, enhancing its overall taste profile without introducing synthetic elements.
Role in formula: base
Original: onion
-
Is Pepper safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Pepper is used here as base. Pepper (7.2%) contributes to the flavor complexity and adds a mild heat, enhancing the overall sensory experience of the sauce.
Role in formula: base
Original: pepper (7,2%)
-
Is Adzuki Beans safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Adzuki Beans is used here as base. Adzuki beans (6.0%) provide a source of plant-based protein and fiber, contributing to the nutritional value of the sauce.
Role in formula: base
Original: adzuki beans (6,0%)
-
Is Tomato Paste safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Tomato Paste is used here as base. Tomato paste (3.8%) intensifies the tomato flavor and adds thickness to the sauce, enhancing its overall texture.
Role in formula: base
Original: tomato paste (3,8%)
-
Is Sugar safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is added to balance acidity and enhance sweetness, but its presence raises concerns about unnecessary processing and health implications.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Modified Maize Starch safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Modified Maize Starch is used here as thickener. Modified maize starch serves as a thickening agent, which may indicate a level of processing that detracts from the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: modified maize starch
-
Is Spices safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Spices is used here as flavor. A blend of spices, including chili powder, enhances flavor complexity and provides a characteristic heat to the sauce.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: spices (contains chilli powder)
-
Is Lactic Acid safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Lactic Acid is used here as acidulant. Lactic acid acts as an acidity regulator, which can help preserve the sauce but also indicates a level of processing that may not be ideal.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: acidity regulator (lactic acid)
-
Is Salt safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt is used to enhance flavor, but excessive sodium can raise health concerns, particularly in processed foods.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
-
Is Onion Powder safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Onion Powder is used here as flavor. Onion powder adds concentrated flavor but is a processed form of onion, which may detract from the freshness of the sauce.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: onion powder
-
Is Cocoa Powder safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Cocoa Powder is used here as flavor. Cocoa powder may enhance the depth of flavor, but its inclusion in a savory sauce is unusual and raises questions about its necessity.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: cocoa powder
-
Is Paprika Extract safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Paprika Extract is used here as colorant. Paprika extract is used for coloring, indicating the presence of synthetic additives that may not align with a clean ingredient profile.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: colour (paprika extract)
-
Is Coriander safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Coriander is used here as flavor. Coriander adds a fresh, herbal note to the sauce, enhancing its flavor profile without introducing synthetic elements.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: coriander
-
Is Herbs safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Herbs is used here as flavor. Herbs contribute to the overall flavor complexity and freshness of the sauce, supporting a more natural composition.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: herbs
-
Is Garlic Powder safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Garlic Powder is used here as flavor. Garlic powder adds flavor but is a processed form of garlic, which may detract from the overall freshness of the sauce.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: garlic powder
-
Is Spicy Sauce With Beans safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Spicy Sauce With Beans is used here as flavor. This component likely adds additional flavor and texture, but its specific composition is unclear, raising questions about quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: spicy sauce with beans
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: 3807887
More from this brand: Uncle Ben's products in Zerotox
Similar products: sauce_condiment in Zerotox database
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.