Is Harissa And Honey Flatbread Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Sainsbury's
This page reviews Harissa And Honey Flatbread by Sainsbury's as a snack. 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: Diphosphates, Sodium Carbonates, Monocalcium Phosphate.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes several processed ingredients like potassium sorbate and sodium carboxymethylcellulose, which raise quality concerns. The presence of honey and olive oil adds some natural elements but is overshadowed by synthetic additives.
Main concern
Potassium sorbate is a synthetic preservative that raises concerns about artificial 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 honey (8%), a natural sweetener that adds flavor and moisture.
- Includes extra virgin olive oil (2%), known for its health benefits and flavor enhancement.
- Harissa seasoning provides a blend of spices, contributing to a unique taste profile.
- Fortified wheat flour adds essential nutrients like iron and niacin.
Concerns
- Potassium sorbate is a synthetic preservative that raises concerns about artificial additives.
- Sodium carboxymethylcellulose is a stabilizer that may indicate a highly processed product.
- Raising agents like diphosphates and sodium carbonates suggest reliance on chemical leavening.
- High wheat content may pose gluten concerns for sensitive individuals.
Who should avoid this product?
You may want to be cautious with this product if you are:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
Ingredients breakdown
The ingredient notes below are written to explain what each ingredient does in this snack and why it matters.
-
Is Fortified Wheat Flour safe in this snack?
Medium
Fortified Wheat Flour is used here as base. Fortified wheat flour serves as the primary ingredient, providing structure and nutrients. However, its refined nature raises concerns about processing.
Role in formula: base
Original: Fortified Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, Iron, Thiamin)
-
Is Water safe in this snack?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water is essential for dough formation and hydration, contributing to the overall texture of the flatbread.
Role in formula: base
Original: Water
-
Is Honey safe in this snack?
Good
Honey is used here as sweetener. Honey acts as a natural sweetener, enhancing flavor and moisture content, which can improve the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Honey (8%)
-
Is Rapeseed Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Rapeseed Oil is used here as base. Rapeseed oil is used for moisture and texture but is a refined oil, which may raise concerns about processing.
Role in formula: base
Original: Rapeseed Oil
-
Is Yeast safe in this snack?
Good
Yeast is used here as base. Yeast is a natural leavening agent that contributes to the rise and texture of the flatbread, indicating a traditional baking method.
Role in formula: base
Original: Yeast
-
Is Harissa Seasoning safe in this snack?
Good
Harissa Seasoning is used here as flavor. Harissa seasoning adds a complex flavor profile with spices, enhancing the overall taste of the flatbread.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Harissa Seasoning (2%) (Cumin Powder, Coriander Powder, Garlic Granules, Paprika Powder, Smoked Paprika, Chilli Flakes, Caraway Powder, Mint, Chilli Powder)
-
Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil safe in this snack?
Good
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is used here as base. Extra virgin olive oil is a high-quality fat that adds flavor and potential health benefits, contributing positively to the product's profile.
Role in formula: base
Original: Extra Virgin Olive Oil (2%)
-
Is Spirit Vinegar safe in this snack?
Medium
Spirit Vinegar is used here as acidulant. Spirit vinegar is used for acidity and flavor balance but is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Spirit Vinegar
-
Is Wheat Gluten safe in this snack?
Medium
Wheat Gluten is used here as base. Wheat gluten enhances the texture and elasticity of the flatbread but is a processed ingredient that may not appeal to all consumers.
Role in formula: base
Original: Wheat Gluten
-
Is Diphosphates safe in this snack?
Bad
Diphosphates is used here as raising agent. Diphosphates are chemical leavening agents that indicate reliance on synthetic additives, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: raising agent
Original: Raising Agents: Diphosphates
-
Is Sodium Carbonates safe in this snack?
Bad
Sodium Carbonates is used here as raising agent. Sodium carbonates are synthetic leavening agents that may raise concerns about the product's overall quality and processing.
Role in formula: raising agent
Original: Sodium Carbonates
-
Is Monocalcium Phosphate safe in this snack?
Bad
Monocalcium Phosphate is used here as raising agent. Monocalcium phosphate is a synthetic leavening agent that contributes to the processed nature of the product.
Role in formula: raising agent
Original: Monocalcium Phosphate
-
Is Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose safe in this snack?
Bad
Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose is used here as stabilizer. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose is a synthetic stabilizer that raises concerns about artificial additives in the product.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: Stabiliser: Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose
Read the full ingredient profile for Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose
-
Is Potassium Sorbate safe in this snack?
Bad
Potassium Sorbate is used here as preservative. Potassium sorbate is a synthetic preservative used to extend shelf life but raises concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: Preservatives: Potassium Sorbate
-
Is Calcium Propionate safe in this snack?
Bad
Calcium Propionate is used here as preservative. Calcium propionate is a synthetic preservative that may raise concerns about the product's overall quality and processing.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: Calcium Propionate
-
Is Salt safe in this snack?
Good
Salt is used here as base. Salt is essential for flavor enhancement and preservation, contributing positively to the overall quality of the flatbread.
Role in formula: base
Original: Salt
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this snack?
Medium
Citric Acid is used here as acidity regulator. Citric acid is used to regulate acidity and enhance flavor but is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns.
Role in formula: acidity regulator
Original: Acidity Regulator: Citric Acid
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Is Wheat Starch safe in this snack?
Medium
Wheat Starch is used here as base. Wheat starch is used for texture and moisture retention but is a processed ingredient that may not appeal to all consumers.
Role in formula: base
Original: Wheat Starch
-
Is Wheat Flour safe in this snack?
Medium
Wheat Flour is used here as base. Wheat flour is a common ingredient that provides structure but is refined, raising concerns about processing.
Role in formula: base
Original: Wheat Flour
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: 3963805
More from this brand: Sainsbury's products in Zerotox
Similar products: snack in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: wheat
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.