Is DuoZ Pesto & Mozzarella Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Cheez-It
DuoZ Pesto & Mozzarella is one of the snack products analyzed by Zerotox for Cheez-It. 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 Monosodium Glutamate affect the overall evaluation.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The ingredient composition includes enriched flour and various cheeses, but also contains additives like monosodium glutamate and maltodextrin, raising quality concerns. The presence of palm oil and artificial colors further impacts the rating.
Main concern
Contains monosodium glutamate, a flavor enhancer with mixed safety perceptions.
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 multiple cheese varieties, providing flavor and texture.
- Includes natural ingredients like olive oil and spices, enhancing taste.
- Vegetable oil blend offers a source of fats, contributing to mouthfeel.
Concerns
- Contains monosodium glutamate, a flavor enhancer with mixed safety perceptions.
- Enriched flour may raise concerns due to processing and additives.
- Palm oil is present, which is often linked to environmental issues.
- Artificial colors like turmeric and annatto may raise quality concerns.
Who should avoid this product?
This product may be less suitable for:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Instead of a flat list, this section explains each ingredient in the context of this snack.
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Is Enriched Flour safe in this snack?
Medium
Enriched Flour is used here as base. Enriched flour serves as the primary ingredient, providing structure. However, its processing raises concerns about nutritional quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, vitamin B₁ [thiamin mononitrate], vitamin B2 [riboflavin], folic acid)
-
Is Vegetable Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Vegetable Oil is used here as base. A blend of oils including soybean and palm, used for texture and moisture. The inclusion of TBHQ raises concerns about synthetic preservatives.
Role in formula: base
Original: vegetable oil (soybean, palm, canola and/or high oleic soybean oil with TBHQ for freshness)
-
Is White Cheddar Cheese safe in this snack?
Good
White Cheddar Cheese is used here as base. White cheddar cheese adds flavor and richness, derived from pasteurized milk, which is generally considered a quality ingredient.
Role in formula: base
Original: white cheddar cheese (pasteurized whole milk, salt, cultures, enzymes)
-
Is Maltodextrin safe in this snack?
Medium
Maltodextrin is used here as thickener. Maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate used for texture. While it is generally safe, it raises concerns about its processing.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: maltodextrin
-
Is Salt safe in this snack?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor and is a common ingredient in many foods, contributing to overall taste without significant safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
-
Is Whey safe in this snack?
Good
Whey is used here as base. Whey is a byproduct of cheese production, adding protein and flavor. It is generally considered a quality ingredient.
Role in formula: base
Original: whey
-
Is Nonfat Milk safe in this snack?
Good
Nonfat Milk is used here as base. Nonfat milk contributes to the creamy texture and flavor profile, derived from milk, which is a quality ingredient.
Role in formula: base
Original: nonfat milk
-
Is Buttermilk safe in this snack?
Good
Buttermilk is used here as base. Buttermilk adds tanginess and moisture, derived from milk fermentation, which is generally considered a quality ingredient.
Role in formula: base
Original: buttermilk
-
Is Onion Powder safe in this snack?
Good
Onion Powder is used here as flavor. Onion powder provides flavor enhancement, derived from dehydrated onions, which is a natural ingredient.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: onion powder
-
Is Yeast Extract safe in this snack?
Medium
Yeast Extract is used here as flavor. Yeast extract is used for flavor enhancement, but its processing raises some concerns about quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: yeast extract
-
Is Garlic Powder safe in this snack?
Good
Garlic Powder is used here as flavor. Garlic powder adds flavor and is derived from dehydrated garlic, considered a natural ingredient.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: garlic powder
-
Is Parmesan Cheese safe in this snack?
Good
Parmesan Cheese is used here as base. Parmesan cheese adds depth of flavor, derived from milk, and is generally considered a quality ingredient.
Role in formula: base
Original: parmesan cheese (milk, salt, cheese cultures, enzymes)
-
Is Monosodium Glutamate safe in this snack?
Bad
Monosodium Glutamate is used here as flavor. Monosodium glutamate is a flavor enhancer that may raise concerns due to its synthetic nature and potential health effects.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: monosodium glutamate
-
Is Baking Soda safe in this snack?
Good
Baking Soda is used here as leavening agent. Baking soda is a leavening agent that helps the product rise, generally considered safe and effective.
Role in formula: leavening agent
Original: baking soda
-
Is Yeast safe in this snack?
Good
Yeast is used here as leavening agent. Yeast is used for fermentation and leavening, contributing to texture and flavor, and is a natural ingredient.
Role in formula: leavening agent
Original: yeast
-
Is Spices safe in this snack?
Good
Spices is used here as flavor. Spices, including basil, enhance flavor and are derived from natural sources, contributing positively to the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: spices (including basil)
-
Is Spinach Powder safe in this snack?
Good
Spinach Powder is used here as colorant. Spinach powder is used for color and flavor, derived from spinach, which is a natural ingredient.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: spinach powder
-
Is Tomato Powder safe in this snack?
Good
Tomato Powder is used here as flavor. Tomato powder adds flavor and color, derived from tomatoes, which is a natural ingredient.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: tomato powder
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this snack?
Medium
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used for flavor and preservation, derived from citrus fruits, but its processing raises some concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: citric acid
-
Is Mozzarella Cheese safe in this snack?
Good
Mozzarella Cheese is used here as base. Mozzarella cheese adds creaminess and flavor, derived from milk, and is generally considered a quality ingredient.
Role in formula: base
Original: mozzarella cheese (part-skim milk, salt, cheese cultures, enzymes)
-
Is Sugar safe in this snack?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is used for sweetness but raises concerns due to its processing and potential health effects.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Sour Cream safe in this snack?
Good
Sour Cream is used here as base. Sour cream adds creaminess and tang, derived from fermented cream, which is generally considered a quality ingredient.
Role in formula: base
Original: sour cream (cream, nonfat milk, cultures)
-
Is Natural Flavor safe in this snack?
Medium
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavor is used for taste enhancement, but its processing raises some concerns about quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural flavor
-
Is Olive Oil safe in this snack?
Good
Olive Oil is used here as base. Olive oil is a natural fat source that adds flavor and moisture, considered a quality ingredient.
Role in formula: base
Original: olive oil
-
Is Lactic Acid safe in this snack?
Medium
Lactic Acid is used here as acidulant. Lactic acid is used for flavor and preservation, derived from fermentation, but its processing raises some concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: lactic acid
-
Is Turmeric Extract safe in this snack?
Medium
Turmeric Extract is used here as colorant. Turmeric extract is used for color, derived from turmeric, but its processing raises some concerns.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: turmeric extract (color)
-
Is Annatto Extract safe in this snack?
Medium
Annatto Extract is used here as colorant. Annatto extract is used for color enhancement, derived from achiote seeds, but its processing raises some concerns.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: annatto extract (color)
-
Is Soy Lecithin safe in this snack?
Medium
Soy Lecithin is used here as emulsifier. Soy lecithin is used as an emulsifier to improve texture, but its processing raises some concerns about quality.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: soy lecithin
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: 2401518
More from this brand: Cheez-It products in Zerotox
Similar products: snack in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: wheat , milk
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.