Is Chip’s Fuego Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Barcel
Chip’s Fuego is one of the snack products analyzed by Zerotox for Barcel. 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 Added Sugars, Sodium Glutamate, Artificial Flavors affect the overall evaluation.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes sodium benzoate as a preservative and artificial flavoring agents, indicating a processed nature that raises quality concerns. The presence of added sugars also contributes to the moderate rating.
Main concern
Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative that raises concerns about artificial additives.
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 potato as the main ingredient, indicating a base of whole food.
- Includes citric acid, which acts as a natural preservative and flavor enhancer.
- Natural onion extract adds flavor without synthetic additives.
- Vegetable protein (soy) provides a source of plant-based protein.
Concerns
- Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative that raises concerns about artificial additives.
- Added sugars contribute to the processed nature of the product, impacting overall quality.
- Artificial flavoring agents may pose quality concerns due to their synthetic origins.
- Red 40 is an artificial colorant that raises questions about the use of synthetic dyes.
Ingredients breakdown
Instead of a flat list, this section explains each ingredient in the context of this snack.
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Is Natural Potato safe in this snack?
Good
Natural Potato is used here as base. Natural potato serves as the primary ingredient, providing a whole food base that is minimally processed.
Role in formula: base
Original: PAPA NATURAL
-
Is Vegetable Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Vegetable Oil is used here as base. Vegetable oil is used for frying, which can introduce concerns about the type of oil used and its processing.
Role in formula: base
Original: ACEITE VEGETAL
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Is Iodized Salt safe in this snack?
Good
Iodized Salt is used here as flavor. Iodized salt is included for flavor enhancement and is a common ingredient in snack foods.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: SAL YODADA
-
Is Maltodextrin safe in this snack?
Medium
Maltodextrin is used here as thickener. Maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate used for texture and stability, raising some concerns about its processing.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: MALTODEXTRINA
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Is Citric Acid safe in this snack?
Good
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid acts as a natural preservative and flavor enhancer, contributing positively to the product's safety.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: ÁCIDO CÍTRICO
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Is Added Sugars safe in this snack?
Bad
Added Sugars is used here as sweetener. Added sugars increase the sweetness but contribute to the processed nature of the product, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: AZÚCARES AÑADIDOS (AZÚCAR)
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Is Sodium Glutamate safe in this snack?
Bad
Sodium Glutamate is used here as flavor. Sodium glutamate is an artificial flavor enhancer that may raise concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: GMS
-
Is Natural Flavors safe in this snack?
Medium
Natural Flavors is used here as flavor. Natural flavors are included for taste enhancement but can be ambiguous in terms of processing and sourcing.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: SABORIZANTES NATURALES
-
Is Artificial Flavors safe in this snack?
Bad
Artificial Flavors is used here as flavor. Artificial flavors are synthetic additives that may raise quality concerns due to their origins.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: SABORIZANTES ARTIFICIALES
-
Is Onion safe in this snack?
Good
Onion is used here as flavor. Onion is a natural ingredient that adds flavor without synthetic additives, contributing positively to the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: CEBOLLA
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Is Sodium Bicarbonate safe in this snack?
Medium
Sodium Bicarbonate is used here as leavening agent. Sodium bicarbonate is used as a leavening agent, which is common in snack foods but raises some processing concerns.
Role in formula: leavening agent
Original: BICARBONATO DE SODIO
-
Is Red 40 safe in this snack?
Bad
Red 40 is used here as colorant. Red 40 is an artificial colorant that raises concerns about the use of synthetic dyes in food products.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: LACA ROJO 40
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Is Vegetable Protein Soy safe in this snack?
Good
Vegetable Protein Soy is used here as base. Vegetable protein from soy provides a source of plant-based protein, contributing positively to the product's composition.
Role in formula: base
Original: PROTEINA VEGETAL (SOYA)
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Is Chile Extract safe in this snack?
Good
Chile Extract is used here as natural_extract. Chile extract adds natural flavor and heat, enhancing the overall taste profile without synthetic additives.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: EXTRACTO DE CHILE
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Is Sodium Inosinate safe in this snack?
Bad
Sodium Inosinate is used here as flavor. Sodium inosinate is a flavor enhancer that is synthetic and raises concerns about artificial additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: INOSINATO DE SODIO
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Is Sodium Guanylate safe in this snack?
Bad
Sodium Guanylate is used here as flavor. Sodium guanylate is another synthetic flavor enhancer that may raise quality concerns due to its artificial nature.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: GUANILATO DE SODIO
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Is Tbhq safe in this snack?
Bad
Tbhq is used here as preservative. TBHQ is a synthetic antioxidant used as a preservative, raising concerns about the use of synthetic additives in food.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: TBHQ
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: 4063486
More from this brand: Barcel products in Zerotox
Similar products: snack 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.