Is French Dip Au Jus Concentrated Sauce Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Johnny's Fine Foods
French Dip Au Jus Concentrated Sauce is a sauce condiment from Johnny's Fine Foods. 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 Sodium Benzoate, Sugar, Corn Syrup Solids.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
This sauce contains sodium benzoate as a synthetic preservative and sugar, raising concerns about processed ingredients. The presence of hydrolyzed vegetable protein and natural flavors also indicates a mix of quality in composition.
Main concern
Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative that raises quality concerns.
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 red wine vinegar, which can enhance flavor and provide acidity.
- Includes tomato paste, contributing to a rich taste profile.
- Onion juice and garlic juice add natural flavoring without artificial additives.
Concerns
- Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative that raises quality concerns.
- Presence of sugar and corn syrup solids indicates high processing.
- Hydrolyzed vegetable protein may contain MSG, which some consumers avoid.
Who should avoid this product?
This sauce condiment may not be the best fit for:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
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 Water safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as the primary solvent in this sauce, providing the necessary liquid base for the other ingredients.
Role in formula: base
Original: Water
-
Is Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein is used here as flavor. Hydrolyzed vegetable protein is used for flavor enhancement but may contain MSG, raising concerns for sensitive consumers.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: hydrolyzed vegetable protein (corn, soy, wheat)
Read the full ingredient profile for Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
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Is Red Wine Vinegar safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Red Wine Vinegar is used here as acidulant. Red wine vinegar adds acidity and depth of flavor, contributing positively to the overall taste profile of the sauce.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: red wine vinegar
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Is Tomato Paste safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Tomato Paste is used here as flavor. Tomato paste provides a rich, concentrated flavor and natural sweetness, enhancing the overall taste of the sauce.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: tomato paste
-
Is Gluconic Acid safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Gluconic Acid is used here as acidulant. Gluconic acid is used to adjust acidity but is a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: gluconic acid
-
Is Worcestershire Sauce safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Worcestershire Sauce is used here as flavor. Worcestershire sauce adds complexity and umami flavor, but its ingredients include sugar and anchovies, which may not suit all diets.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: worcesershire sauce (distilled white vinegar, molasses, water, sugar, onions, anchovies, salt, garlic, cloves, tamarind extract, natural flavorings, chili pepper extract)
-
Is Date Paste safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Date Paste is used here as sweetener. Date paste is a natural sweetener that adds flavor and texture, contributing positively to the sauce's composition.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: date paste
-
Is Natural Flavor safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavor is used to enhance taste but lacks transparency regarding its specific components, raising some concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural flavor
-
Is Yeast Extract safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Yeast Extract is used here as flavor. Yeast extract is a flavor enhancer that can provide umami but may also contain MSG, which some consumers prefer to avoid.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: yeast extract
-
Is Onion Juice safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Onion Juice is used here as flavor. Onion juice adds natural flavor and aroma, enhancing the overall taste without artificial additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: onion juice
-
Is Salt safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt is essential for flavor enhancement and preservation, contributing to the overall taste of the sauce.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
-
Is Guar Gum safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Guar Gum is used here as thickener. Guar gum is a thickening agent that improves texture but is a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: guar gum
-
Is Sodium Benzoate safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Sodium Benzoate is used here as preservative. Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative used to extend shelf life but raises concerns about synthetic additives in food products.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: sodium benzoate
-
Is Garlic Juice safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Garlic Juice is used here as flavor. Garlic juice adds a strong, natural flavor to the sauce, enhancing its overall taste profile without artificial ingredients.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: garlic juice
-
Is Sugar safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a common sweetener that contributes to flavor but raises concerns about high processing and potential health impacts.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Corn Syrup Solids safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Corn Syrup Solids is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup solids are a processed sweetener that can contribute to excessive sugar intake, raising health concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: corn syrup solids
-
Is Spice safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Spice is used here as flavor. Spices are included for flavor enhancement but lack specificity, making it difficult to assess their quality and safety.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: spice
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: 3259683
More from this brand: Johnny's Fine Foods products in Zerotox
Similar products: sauce_condiment in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: soy , wheat , fish
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.