Is Margarine Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Picnic
This page reviews Margarine by Picnic 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: Fully Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Modified Starch, Sodium Benzoate.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
This margarine contains modified starch and E200 as preservatives, indicating a processed composition. The presence of fully hydrogenated palm oil raises quality concerns due to its processing level.
Main concern
Modified starch is included, which raises concerns about processing and potential 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 vitamins such as E, B6, B12, A, B2, B1, and D2, which can contribute to nutritional value.
- Water and plant oils are primary ingredients, indicating a base of natural components.
Concerns
- Modified starch is included, which raises concerns about processing and potential additives.
- Fully hydrogenated palm oil is present, which is associated with health concerns due to its processing.
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 serves as the primary solvent in this margarine, contributing to its texture and moisture content.
Role in formula: base
Original: Water
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Is Sunflower Oil safe in this food?
Good
Sunflower Oil is used here as base. Sunflower oil is a natural fat source that provides essential fatty acids and contributes to the margarine's consistency.
Role in formula: base
Original: zonnebloem
-
Is Fully Hydrogenated Palm Oil safe in this food?
Bad
Fully Hydrogenated Palm Oil is used here as base. Fully hydrogenated palm oil is a processed fat that raises concerns due to its high level of processing and potential health implications.
Role in formula: base
Original: volledig geharde palm
Read the full ingredient profile for Fully Hydrogenated Palm Oil
-
Is Modified Starch safe in this food?
Bad
Modified Starch is used here as thickener. Modified starch is used as a thickening agent, but its processing raises concerns about additives and quality.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: gemodificeerd zetmeel
-
Is Tricalcium Phosphate safe in this food?
Medium
Tricalcium Phosphate is used here as antioxidant. Tricalcium phosphate is used as an anti-caking agent, but its synthetic nature raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: tricalciumfosfaat
-
Is Sodium Benzoate safe in this food?
Bad
Sodium Benzoate is used here as preservative. Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative that helps extend shelf life but raises concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: E200
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this food?
Good
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is a natural preservative and flavor enhancer that helps maintain product freshness and acidity.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: citroenzuur
-
Is Carotene safe in this food?
Medium
Carotene is used here as colorant. Carotene is a natural colorant that provides a yellow hue but may raise concerns about artificial coloring in some contexts.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: kleurstof (carotenen)
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: 4222330
More from this brand: Picnic products in Zerotox
Similar products: food 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.