Hickory Brown Sugar Marinade product image with 60/100 Zerotox safety score

Is Hickory Brown Sugar Marinade Safe? Ingredient Analysis

Lawry's

Hickory Brown Sugar Marinade is a sauce condiment from Lawry's. 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.

60 / 100

Moderate quality

Why score is 60

The ingredient analysis reveals sodium benzoate as a synthetic preservative, while modified corn starch and xanthan gum are thickening agents. These additives indicate a processed composition, raising quality concerns.

Main concern

Sodium benzoate 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 natural ingredients like distilled vinegar and spices, contributing to flavor.
  • Brown sugar and molasses provide a rich taste profile, enhancing the marinade's appeal.

Concerns

  • Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative that raises concerns about artificial additives.
  • Modified corn starch and xanthan gum are processed ingredients that may indicate lower quality.

Ingredients breakdown

Each ingredient below is explained in the context of this sauce condiment so the page answers more than a simple label list.

  • Is Distilled Vinegar safe in this sauce condiment?

    Good

    Distilled Vinegar is used here as base. Distilled vinegar acts as a base for the marinade, providing acidity that enhances flavor and acts as a preservative.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: Distilled Vinegar

    Read the full ingredient profile for Distilled Vinegar

  • Is Water safe in this sauce condiment?

    Good

    Water is used here as base. Water serves as a solvent in the marinade, helping to dissolve other ingredients and distribute flavors evenly.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: Water

    Read the full ingredient profile for Water

  • Is Brown Sugar safe in this sauce condiment?

    Medium

    Brown Sugar is used here as sweetener. Brown sugar adds sweetness and depth to the flavor profile, though it is a processed ingredient with moderate concerns.

    Role in formula: sweetener

    Original: Brown Sugar

    Read the full ingredient profile for Brown Sugar

  • Is Salt safe in this sauce condiment?

    Good

    Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances the overall flavor of the marinade, balancing sweetness and acidity effectively.

    Role in formula: flavor

    Original: Salt

    Read the full ingredient profile for Salt

  • Is Molasses safe in this sauce condiment?

    Good

    Molasses is used here as flavor. Molasses contributes a rich, complex flavor and color to the marinade, enhancing its overall taste.

    Role in formula: flavor

    Original: Molasses

    Read the full ingredient profile for Molasses

  • Is Spices safe in this sauce condiment?

    Good

    Spices is used here as flavor. A blend of spices, including black pepper and cinnamon, adds depth and complexity to the flavor profile.

    Role in formula: flavor

    Original: Spices (Including Black Pepper, Cinnamon)

    Read the full ingredient profile for Spices

  • Is Modified Corn Starch safe in this sauce condiment?

    Medium

    Modified Corn Starch is used here as thickener. Modified corn starch is used as a thickening agent, but its processed nature raises some quality concerns.

    Role in formula: thickener

    Original: Modified Corn Starch

  • Is Onion safe in this sauce condiment?

    Good

    Onion is used here as flavor. Onion provides a savory flavor base, enhancing the overall taste of the marinade.

    Role in formula: flavor

    Original: Onion

    Read the full ingredient profile for Onion

  • Is Garlic safe in this sauce condiment?

    Good

    Garlic is used here as flavor. Garlic adds a robust flavor and aroma, contributing to the overall appeal of the marinade.

    Role in formula: flavor

    Original: Garlic

    Read the full ingredient profile for Garlic

  • Is Natural Flavor safe in this sauce condiment?

    Medium

    Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavor, including hickory smoke, enhances the marinade's taste but may involve processing that raises concerns.

    Role in formula: flavor

    Original: Natural Flavor (Including Hickory Smoke)

    Read the full ingredient profile for Natural Flavor

  • Is Red Bell Pepper safe in this sauce condiment?

    Good

    Red Bell Pepper is used here as flavor. Red bell pepper adds sweetness and color, enhancing the visual and taste appeal of the marinade.

    Role in formula: flavor

    Original: Red Bell Pepper

    Read the full ingredient profile for Red Bell Pepper

  • Is Xanthan Gum safe in this sauce condiment?

    Medium

    Xanthan Gum is used here as thickener. Xanthan gum is a thickening agent that helps improve texture but is a processed ingredient with moderate concerns.

    Role in formula: thickener

    Original: Xanthan Gum (Thickener)

    Read the full ingredient profile for Xanthan 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, raising concerns about artificial additives.

    Role in formula: preservative

    Original: Sodium Benzoate (To Protect Quality)

    Read the full ingredient profile for Sodium Benzoate

  • Is Garlic Powder safe in this sauce condiment?

    Good

    Garlic Powder is used here as flavor. Garlic powder provides concentrated garlic flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the marinade.

    Role in formula: flavor

    Original: Garlic Powder

    Read the full ingredient profile for Garlic 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: 2396280

More from this brand: Lawry's products in Zerotox

Similar products: sauce_condiment in Zerotox database

Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.

Frequently asked questions

Browse sauce condiment products on Zerotox with ingredient analysis.
Lawry's — Hickory Brown Sugar Marinade has a Zerotox safety score of 60 / 100. Higher scores mean fewer concerning ingredients. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Browse Lawry's products on Zerotox with ingredient analysis and safety scores.
Based on our data we do not detect fragrance in this product's listed ingredients. Formulations can change; check the label.
We do not detect parabens in this product's listed ingredients. Always check the label as formulations change.
Our analysis notes: Contains natural ingredients like distilled vinegar and spices, contributing to flavor.; Brown sugar and molasses provide a rich taste profile, enhancing the marinade's appeal.. See the Pros section above.
Lawry's — Hickory Brown Sugar Marinade has a Zerotox safety score of 60 / 100. Check the ingredient breakdown above. More Lawry's products. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
This product is flagged for: Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative that raises concerns about artificial additives.; Modified corn starch and xanthan gum are processed ingredients that may indicate lower quality.. See the Concerns and Ingredients sections above.
This product includes positive or neutral ingredients such as: distilled vinegar, water, salt. See the Ingredients section above.
This depends on the ingredient profile. People with sensitive skin or scalp, users avoiding fragrance, sulfates or animal-derived ingredients, and cautious shoppers should review the breakdown above before buying. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Lawry's — Hickory Brown Sugar Marinade has a Zerotox score of 60 / 100 among sauce condiment products. See the full breakdown above.
The ingredient analysis reveals sodium benzoate as a synthetic preservative, while modified corn starch and xanthan gum are thickening agents. These additives indicate a processed composition, raising quality concerns. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.

Safer alternatives from Lawry's

Higher-scoring products from the same brand that may be worth comparing: