Is Humous & Falafel Mezze Salad Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Pret A Manger
This page reviews Humous & Falafel Mezze Salad by Pret A Manger as a food. Its current score is 70/100, suggesting that it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: Sugar, Xanthan Gum.
70 / 100
Why score is 70
The salad contains a mix of good and medium quality ingredients. Notable components include cooked chickpeas and quinoa, but also includes sugar and stabilizers which raise concerns.
Main concern
Contains sugar, which raises concerns about unnecessary sweetness in a savory dish.
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
- Includes cooked chickpeas and quinoa, providing a good source of plant-based protein and fiber.
- Contains a variety of fresh vegetables like spinach and cucumber, enhancing nutritional diversity.
- Uses sunflower oil and extra virgin olive oil, which are better quality fats compared to many alternatives.
Concerns
- Contains sugar, which raises concerns about unnecessary sweetness in a savory dish.
- Includes xanthan gum as a stabilizer, which is a processed ingredient that may not be necessary.
- The presence of plain caramel color indicates the use of artificial coloring, which can be a concern for some consumers.
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 food and why it matters.
-
Is Water safe in this food?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water is a fundamental ingredient used for cooking and hydrating other components in this salad, ensuring proper texture and moisture.
Role in formula: base
Original: Water
-
Is Brown Rice safe in this food?
Good
Brown Rice is used here as base. Brown rice serves as a whole grain base, providing fiber and essential nutrients, contributing positively to the salad's overall quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: Brown Rice
-
Is Red Quinoa safe in this food?
Good
Red Quinoa is used here as base. Red quinoa is a nutritious grain that adds protein and fiber, enhancing the salad's health benefits and texture.
Role in formula: base
Original: Red Quinoa
-
Is Lemon Juice safe in this food?
Good
Lemon Juice is used here as flavor. Lemon juice adds acidity and freshness to the salad, enhancing flavor without the need for artificial additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Lemon Juice
-
Is Sunflower Oil safe in this food?
Medium
Sunflower Oil is used here as base. Sunflower oil is a common cooking oil that provides fat but is often refined, raising some concerns about processing.
Role in formula: base
Original: Sunflower Oil
-
Is Salt safe in this food?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt is used for flavor enhancement but excessive use can lead to health concerns, particularly in processed foods.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Salt
-
Is Sugar safe in this food?
Bad
Sugar is used here as flavor. Sugar is added for sweetness, which may not be necessary in a savory salad, raising concerns about added sugars in meals.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Sugar
-
Is Xanthan Gum safe in this food?
Bad
Xanthan Gum is used here as stabilizer. Xanthan gum is a thickening agent that helps maintain texture but is a processed ingredient that may not be needed in fresh salads.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: Xanthan Gum
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: 3954847
More from this brand: Pret A Manger products in Zerotox
Similar products: food in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: sesame
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.