Is Enchilada Sauce Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Aldi Specially Selected
Enchilada Sauce is a sauce condiment from Aldi Specially Selected. 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 Acetic Acid.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes tomatoes and various spices, but also contains sugar and modified maize starch, which raises concerns about processed ingredients. The presence of multiple spices indicates flavor complexity.
Main concern
Sugar is present, which raises concerns about added sweeteners in a savory product.
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 (39%) provide a natural base, contributing to flavor and color.
- Spice blend includes paprika and cumin, enhancing the sauce's flavor profile.
- Concentrated lemon juice adds acidity, balancing the overall taste.
- Dried oregano contributes herbal notes, enriching the flavor complexity.
Concerns
- Sugar is present, which raises concerns about added sweeteners in a savory product.
- Modified maize starch is a processed thickener, indicating less natural composition.
- Acetic acid as an acidity regulator may raise concerns about synthetic additives.
- Paprika extract as a colorant suggests the use of artificial coloring agents.
Ingredients breakdown
Each ingredient below is explained in the context of this sauce condiment so the page answers more than a simple label list.
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Is Tomatoes safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Tomatoes is used here as base. Tomatoes are the primary ingredient, providing natural flavor and color. Their high content supports a fresh taste.
Role in formula: base
Original: TOMATOES
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Is Water safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as a diluent, helping to achieve the desired consistency without altering flavor.
Role in formula: base
Original: Water
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Is Tomato Paste safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Tomato Paste is used here as base. Tomato paste enhances the tomato flavor and contributes to the sauce's thickness and richness.
Role in formula: base
Original: TOMATO PASTE
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Is Paprika Powder safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Paprika Powder is used here as flavor. Paprika powder adds depth of flavor and color, enhancing the overall taste profile of the sauce.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Paprika Powder
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Is Black Pepper safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Black Pepper is used here as flavor. Black pepper contributes spiciness and complexity, enhancing the overall flavor experience.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Black Pepper
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Is Cayenne Pepper safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Cayenne Pepper is used here as flavor. Cayenne pepper adds heat and depth, contributing to the sauce's spiciness.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Cayenne Pepper
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Is Cumin Powder safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Cumin Powder is used here as flavor. Cumin powder provides earthy notes, enhancing the sauce's flavor complexity.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Cumin Powder
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Is Garlic Powder safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Garlic Powder is used here as flavor. Garlic powder adds aromatic flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the sauce.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Garlic Powder
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Is Sugar safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is added to balance acidity and enhance flavor, but raises concerns about unnecessary sweetness in a savory product.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sugar
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Is Modified Maize Starch safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Modified Maize Starch is used here as thickener. Modified maize starch is used as a thickening agent, which may indicate a less natural composition.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Modified Maize Starch
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Is Concentrated Lemon Juice safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Concentrated Lemon Juice is used here as acidulant. Concentrated lemon juice adds acidity, enhancing flavor balance and freshness.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Concentrated Lemon Juice
Read the full ingredient profile for Concentrated Lemon Juice
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Is Dried Oregano safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Dried Oregano is used here as flavor. Dried oregano contributes herbal notes, enriching the flavor complexity of the sauce.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Dried Oregano
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Is Salt safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor but raises concerns about sodium content in processed foods.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Salt
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Is Acetic Acid safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Acetic Acid is used here as acidulant. Acetic acid is a synthetic acidity regulator that may raise concerns about artificial additives in the product.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Acidity Regulator: Acetic Acid
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Is Paprika Extract safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Paprika Extract is used here as colorant. Paprika extract is used for coloring, which may indicate the presence of artificial coloring agents.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: Colour: Paprika Extract
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Is Spirit Vinegar safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Spirit Vinegar is used here as acidulant. Spirit vinegar adds acidity but may raise concerns about the use of synthetic vinegar in food products.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Spirit Vinegar
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Is Chilli Powder safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Chilli Powder is used here as flavor. Chilli powder adds heat and flavor complexity, enhancing the overall taste of the sauce.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Chilli Powder
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Is Onion Powder safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Onion Powder is used here as flavor. Onion powder contributes sweetness and depth of flavor, enhancing the overall taste profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Onion Powder
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: 3866353
More from this brand: Aldi Specially Selected products in Zerotox
Similar products: sauce_condiment in Zerotox database
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