Is Hard 'n Soft Taco Kit Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Old El Paso
This page reviews Hard 'n Soft Taco Kit by Old El Paso as a food. Its current score is 60/100, suggesting that it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: Mono And Di Glycerides Of Fatty Acids, Dextrose, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes several processed ingredients like potassium sorbate as a preservative and mono- and di-glycerides as emulsifiers, raising concerns about synthetic additives. The presence of sugar and dextrose also indicates a processed nature.
Main concern
Potassium sorbate is a synthetic preservative that raises concerns about long-term consumption.
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 tomato paste and rehydrated capsicum, providing some natural flavors and nutrients.
- Includes spices like cumin and oregano, which can enhance flavor without synthetic additives.
Concerns
- Potassium sorbate is a synthetic preservative that raises concerns about long-term consumption.
- The presence of sugar and dextrose indicates added sugars, which can contribute to health concerns.
Ingredients breakdown
The ingredient notes below are written to explain what each ingredient does in this food and why it matters.
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Is Wheat Flour safe in this food?
Good
Wheat Flour is used here as base. Wheat flour serves as the primary ingredient, providing structure and texture to the taco shells. It is a staple grain but can be a concern for gluten sensitivity.
Role in formula: base
Original: wheat flour
-
Is Water safe in this food?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water is essential for hydration and binding the ingredients together, contributing to the overall texture of the product.
Role in formula: base
Original: water
-
Is Glycerin safe in this food?
Medium
Glycerin is used here as humectant. Glycerin is used to retain moisture in the taco shells, which can improve texture but is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: humectant
Original: humectant (glycerin)
-
Is Vegetable Oil safe in this food?
Medium
Vegetable Oil is used here as base. Vegetable oil adds fat content, enhancing flavor and texture, but the type of oil used can vary, raising concerns about quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: vegetable oil
-
Is Wheat Gluten safe in this food?
Medium
Wheat Gluten is used here as base. Wheat gluten provides elasticity and chewiness to the taco shells, but it is a processed ingredient that may not be suitable for those with gluten intolerance.
Role in formula: base
Original: wheat gluten
-
Is Mono And Di Glycerides Of Fatty Acids safe in this food?
Bad
Mono And Di Glycerides Of Fatty Acids is used here as emulsifier. These are synthetic emulsifiers used to improve texture and shelf life, raising concerns about their processed nature and potential health effects.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: emulsifier (mono - and di-glycerides of fatty acids)
-
Is Dextrose safe in this food?
Bad
Dextrose is used here as sweetener. Dextrose is a simple sugar that adds sweetness but contributes to added sugars in the product, which can be a health concern.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: dextrose
-
Is Sodium Bicarbonate safe in this food?
Medium
Sodium Bicarbonate is used here as raising agent. Sodium bicarbonate acts as a leavening agent, helping the taco shells rise, but it is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: raising agent
Original: raising agents (sodium bicarbonate, sodium acid pyrophosphate)
-
Is Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate safe in this food?
Bad
Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate is used here as raising agent. This is a synthetic leavening agent that can raise concerns about processed additives in food products.
Role in formula: raising agent
Original: raising agents (sodium bicarbonate, sodium acid pyrophosphate)
Read the full ingredient profile for Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate
-
Is Fumaric Acid safe in this food?
Medium
Fumaric Acid is used here as food acid. Fumaric acid is used to adjust acidity and enhance flavor, but it is a synthetic ingredient.
Role in formula: food acid
Original: food acids (fumaric acid, glucono delta-lactone)
-
Is Glucono Delta Lactone safe in this food?
Medium
Glucono Delta Lactone is used here as food acid. This ingredient acts as a food acid and preservative, raising concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: food acid
Original: food acids (fumaric acid, glucono delta-lactone)
-
Is Salt safe in this food?
Good
Salt is used here as base. Salt enhances flavor and acts as a preservative, but excessive consumption can be a health concern.
Role in formula: base
Original: salt
-
Is Potassium Sorbate safe in this food?
Bad
Potassium Sorbate is used here as preservative. Potassium sorbate is a synthetic preservative used to inhibit mold growth, raising concerns about long-term health effects.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: preservative (potassium sorbate)
-
Is Tomato Paste safe in this food?
Good
Tomato Paste is used here as base. Tomato paste adds flavor and color, providing some nutritional benefits, including vitamins and antioxidants.
Role in formula: base
Original: tomato paste
-
Is Rehydrated Capsicum safe in this food?
Good
Rehydrated Capsicum is used here as base. Rehydrated capsicum contributes flavor and color, along with some vitamins, enhancing the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: base
Original: rehydrated capsicum
-
Is Onion safe in this food?
Good
Onion is used here as base. Onion adds flavor and aroma, providing some health benefits, including antioxidants.
Role in formula: base
Original: onion
-
Is Modified Maize Starch safe in this food?
Medium
Modified Maize Starch is used here as thickener. Modified maize starch is used as a thickening agent, but it is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns about additives.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: modified maize starch (1422)
-
Is Sugar safe in this food?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is added for sweetness, contributing to the overall sugar content, which can be a health concern.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Paprika safe in this food?
Good
Paprika is used here as colorant. Paprika adds color and flavor, providing some antioxidants and enhancing the product's appeal.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: paprika
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this food?
Medium
Citric Acid is used here as food acid. Citric acid is used to enhance flavor and preserve freshness, but it is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: food acid
Original: food acid (citric acid)
-
Is Chili Extract safe in this food?
Good
Chili Extract is used here as flavor. Chili extract adds heat and flavor, contributing to the overall taste profile of the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: chili extract
-
Is Garlic Powder safe in this food?
Good
Garlic Powder is used here as flavor. Garlic powder enhances flavor and provides some health benefits, including potential antimicrobial properties.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: garlic powder
-
Is Ground Corn safe in this food?
Good
Ground Corn is used here as base. Ground corn adds texture and flavor, contributing to the overall quality of the taco shells.
Role in formula: base
Original: ground corn
-
Is Maize Flour safe in this food?
Good
Maize Flour is used here as base. Maize flour provides additional texture and flavor, enhancing the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: base
Original: maize flour
-
Is Oregano safe in this food?
Good
Oregano is used here as flavor. Oregano adds flavor and aroma, providing some health benefits, including antioxidants.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: oregano
-
Is Chili Powder safe in this food?
Good
Chili Powder is used here as flavor. Chili powder contributes heat and flavor, enhancing the overall taste profile of the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: chili powder
-
Is Anticaking Agent Silicon Dioxide safe in this food?
Medium
Anticaking Agent Silicon Dioxide is used here as anticaking agent. Silicon dioxide prevents clumping in powdered ingredients, but it is a synthetic additive that raises concerns about processed ingredients.
Role in formula: anticaking agent
Original: anticaking agent (silicon dioxide)
-
Is Color Paprika Extract safe in this food?
Medium
Color Paprika Extract is used here as colorant. Paprika extract is used for coloring, which can enhance visual appeal but is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: colour (paprika extract)
-
Is Ground Bay Leaves safe in this food?
Good
Ground Bay Leaves is used here as flavor. Ground bay leaves add flavor and aroma, enhancing the overall taste profile of the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: ground bay leaves
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: 4252604
More from this brand: Old El Paso products in Zerotox
Similar products: food in Zerotox database
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