Is McCormick Grill Mates Hawaiian Woodfire Grill Marinade Safe? Ingredient Analysis
McCormick
This page reviews McCormick Grill Mates Hawaiian Woodfire Grill Marinade by McCormick as a sauce condiment. 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: Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate.
70 / 100
Why score is 70
The composition includes sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate as preservatives, raising concerns about synthetic additives. However, natural ingredients like pineapple juice concentrate and spices contribute positively to the overall quality.
Main concern
Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are synthetic preservatives that may raise quality concerns.
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 pineapple juice concentrate, enhancing flavor and quality.
- Includes spices such as ginger, which can add depth to the marinade's profile.
Concerns
- Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are synthetic preservatives that may raise quality concerns.
- Modified corn starch is a processed ingredient that can indicate lower quality.
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 sauce condiment and why it matters.
-
Is Water safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as the primary solvent in this marinade, ensuring proper consistency and distribution of flavors.
Role in formula: base
Original: Water
-
Is Sugar safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is used to balance flavors in the marinade, but its refined nature raises some concerns about health impacts.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Tomato Puree safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Tomato Puree is used here as base. Tomato puree adds natural flavor and color, contributing positively to the overall quality of the marinade.
Role in formula: base
Original: tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
-
Is Distilled Vinegar safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Distilled Vinegar is used here as acidulant. Distilled vinegar provides acidity, enhancing flavor and acting as a preservative, which is beneficial for food safety.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: distilled vinegar
-
Is Soy Sauce safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Soy Sauce is used here as flavor. Soy sauce adds umami flavor but contains wheat and salt, which may be a concern for those with dietary restrictions.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: soy sauce (water, wheat, soybeans, salt)
-
Is Salt safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor but excessive consumption can lead to health issues, raising concerns about its presence in the marinade.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
-
Is Pineapple Juice Concentrate safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Pineapple Juice Concentrate is used here as flavor. Pineapple juice concentrate adds natural sweetness and acidity, contributing positively to the flavor profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: pineapple juice concentrate
Read the full ingredient profile for Pineapple Juice Concentrate
-
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 may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: modified corn starch
-
Is Spices safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Spices is used here as flavor. Spices, including ginger, enhance the flavor complexity of the marinade, contributing positively to its overall quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: spices (including ginger)
-
Is Garlic safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Garlic is used here as flavor. Garlic adds a robust flavor and is a natural ingredient that enhances the overall quality of the marinade.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: garlic
-
Is Onion safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Onion is used here as flavor. Onion contributes to the flavor profile, providing sweetness and depth, which is beneficial for the marinade's quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: onion
-
Is Red Green Bell Peppers safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Red Green Bell Peppers is used here as flavor. Bell peppers add color and sweetness, enhancing the visual appeal and flavor complexity of the marinade.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: red & green bell peppers
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used for acidity and preservation, but its synthetic nature may raise some quality concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: citric acid
-
Is Natural Flavor safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavor enhances taste but lacks transparency regarding its specific components, raising some quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural flavor
-
Is Sodium Benzoate safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Sodium Benzoate is used here as preservative. Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative used to inhibit microbial growth, raising concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: sodium benzoate
-
Is Potassium Sorbate safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Potassium Sorbate is used here as preservative. Potassium sorbate is another synthetic preservative that helps maintain product quality but raises concerns about synthetic ingredients.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: potassium sorbate
-
Is Xanthan Gum safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Xanthan Gum is used here as thickener. Xanthan gum is a thickening agent that improves texture but is a processed ingredient, which may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: xanthan gum
-
Is Extractives Of Paprika safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Extractives Of Paprika is used here as colorant. Extractives of paprika provide natural color and flavor, contributing positively to the overall quality of the marinade.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: extractives of paprika
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: 3234211
More from this brand: McCormick products in Zerotox
Similar products: sauce_condiment 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.