Is Cumberland Farms Baked Cheese Curls Honey Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Cumberland Farms
Cumberland Farms's Cumberland Farms Baked Cheese Curls Honey is reviewed here as a snack. Zerotox gives it 45/100 based on the current ingredient profile, so it shows multiple flagged ingredients that may matter for sensitive users.
The ingredient review below focuses especially on Sugar, Monosodium Glutamate, Dextrose.
45 / 100
Why score is 45
The composition includes several synthetic additives like artificial colors (Yellow 6, Yellow 5) and monosodium glutamate, raising significant quality concerns. The presence of palm oil and sugar further detracts from the overall safety profile.
Main concern
Artificial colors (Yellow 6, Yellow 5) raise concerns about synthetic 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 cheddar cheese, providing some natural flavor and texture.
- Includes honey, a natural sweetener that adds flavor.
Concerns
- Artificial colors (Yellow 6, Yellow 5) raise concerns about synthetic additives.
- Monosodium glutamate is a flavor enhancer linked to potential sensitivity issues.
- Palm oil is present, which is often criticized for environmental concerns.
- High sugar content may contribute to unhealthy dietary habits.
Who should avoid this product?
This formula may not suit:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this snack, not just listed as a raw label.
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Is Corn Meal safe in this snack?
Good
Corn Meal is used here as base. Corn meal serves as the primary ingredient, providing structure and texture to the snack. It is a whole grain, contributing some nutritional value.
Role in formula: base
Original: Corn meal
-
Is Vegetable Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Vegetable Oil is used here as base. Vegetable oil, including palm oil, is used for frying, which can introduce unhealthy fats. The presence of palm oil raises environmental concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: vegetable oil (one or more of the following: corn, cottonseed, palm)
-
Is Maltodextrin safe in this snack?
Medium
Maltodextrin is used here as stabilizer. Maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate used for texture and stability. While generally recognized as safe, it is a refined ingredient with limited nutritional benefits.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: maltodextrin
-
Is Sugar safe in this snack?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is added for sweetness but contributes empty calories with no nutritional value, raising concerns about excessive sugar intake.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Whey safe in this snack?
Good
Whey is used here as base. Whey is a dairy protein that adds flavor and nutritional value. It is a natural ingredient, contributing to the overall protein content.
Role in formula: base
Original: whey
-
Is Salt safe in this snack?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor but can contribute to high sodium intake, which is a concern for overall health.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
-
Is Cheddar Cheese safe in this snack?
Good
Cheddar Cheese is used here as base. Cheddar cheese adds flavor and richness. It is a natural ingredient, providing some nutritional benefits.
Role in formula: base
Original: cheddar cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes)
-
Is Sunflower Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Sunflower Oil is used here as base. Sunflower oil is used for frying and adds fat content. While it is a vegetable oil, it is still a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: base
Original: sunflower oil
-
Is Monosodium Glutamate safe in this snack?
Bad
Monosodium Glutamate is used here as flavor. Monosodium glutamate is a flavor enhancer that can cause sensitivity in some individuals. Its inclusion raises concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: monosodium glutamate
-
Is Dextrose safe in this snack?
Bad
Dextrose is used here as sweetener. Dextrose is a simple sugar that adds sweetness but contributes to the overall sugar content without nutritional benefits.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: dextrose
-
Is Fructose safe in this snack?
Bad
Fructose is used here as sweetener. Fructose is a simple sugar that can contribute to excessive sugar intake, raising health concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: fructose
-
Is Sodium Phosphate safe in this snack?
Bad
Sodium Phosphate is used here as stabilizer. Sodium phosphate is used as a stabilizer but is a synthetic additive that raises quality concerns.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: sodium phosphate
-
Is Onion Powder safe in this snack?
Good
Onion Powder is used here as flavor. Onion powder adds natural flavor to the product, enhancing its taste profile without synthetic additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: onion powder
-
Is Honey safe in this snack?
Good
Honey is used here as sweetener. Honey is a natural sweetener that adds flavor and some nutritional benefits, contributing positively to the ingredient profile.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: honey
-
Is Artificial Colors safe in this snack?
Bad
Artificial Colors is used here as colorant. Artificial colors (Yellow 6, Yellow 5) are synthetic additives that raise concerns about potential health effects.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: artificial colors (yellow 6, yellow 5)
-
Is Butter safe in this snack?
Medium
Butter is used here as base. Butter adds flavor and richness but is a source of saturated fat, which can raise health concerns if consumed in excess.
Role in formula: base
Original: butter
-
Is Natural Flavor safe in this snack?
Medium
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavor is used to enhance taste but can be vague in terms of specific ingredients, raising transparency concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural flavor
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this snack?
Good
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is a natural preservative and flavor enhancer, contributing positively to the product's safety and quality.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: citric acid
-
Is Lactic Acid safe in this snack?
Good
Lactic Acid is used here as acidulant. Lactic acid is a natural acid that can act as a preservative and flavor enhancer, supporting product safety.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: lactic acid
-
Is Tomato Powder safe in this snack?
Good
Tomato Powder is used here as flavor. Tomato powder adds natural flavor and color, enhancing the overall taste profile without synthetic additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: tomato powder
-
Is Extractives Of Paprika safe in this snack?
Good
Extractives Of Paprika is used here as colorant. Extractives of paprika provide natural color and flavor, contributing positively to the ingredient profile.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: extractives of paprika
-
Is Garlic Powder safe in this snack?
Good
Garlic Powder is used here as flavor. Garlic powder adds natural flavor and has potential health benefits, enhancing the product's overall quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: garlic powder
-
Is Horseradish Powder safe in this snack?
Good
Horseradish Powder is used here as flavor. Horseradish powder contributes a unique flavor profile, enhancing the overall taste without synthetic additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: horseradish powder
-
Is Autolyzed Yeast Extract safe in this snack?
Medium
Autolyzed Yeast Extract is used here as flavor. Autolyzed yeast extract is used for flavor enhancement but can be a source of glutamate, raising concerns for sensitive individuals.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: autolyzed yeast extract
Read the full ingredient profile for Autolyzed Yeast Extract
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Is Natural And Artificial Flavor safe in this snack?
Medium
Natural And Artificial Flavor is used here as flavor. The combination of natural and artificial flavors raises transparency concerns regarding the specific ingredients used.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural and artificial flavor
Read the full ingredient profile for Natural And Artificial Flavor
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: 3212759
More from this brand: Cumberland Farms products in Zerotox
Similar products: snack 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.