Is McCormick Grill Mates Mexican Fiesta Marinade Safe? Ingredient Analysis

McCormick

McCormick Grill Mates Mexican Fiesta Marinade is a sauce condiment from McCormick. 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 Corn Syrup Solids, Sugar.

60 / 100

Moderate quality

Why score is 60

The composition includes salt and various spices, but also contains modified corn starch and corn syrup solids, which raise concerns about processing and additives. This results in a moderate rating.

Main concern

Modified corn starch is a processed thickener that may raise concerns about quality.

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 onion, garlic, and lime juice, contributing to flavor.
  • Incorporates spices such as red pepper and green chili pepper for added taste.
  • Lime oil and citric acid provide acidity, enhancing the overall flavor profile.

Concerns

  • Modified corn starch is a processed thickener that may raise concerns about quality.
  • Corn syrup solids and sugar indicate the presence of added sugars, which can be problematic.
  • Maltodextrin is a processed ingredient that may affect the overall healthiness of the product.

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 Salt safe in this sauce condiment?

    Good

    Salt is used here as base. Salt is a natural mineral used for flavor enhancement and preservation. It is essential for taste but should be consumed in moderation.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: Salt

    Read the full ingredient profile for Salt

  • Is White Corn Flour safe in this sauce condiment?

    Medium

    White Corn Flour is used here as base. White corn flour is a processed ingredient used as a thickener and filler. While it adds texture, it lacks nutritional benefits.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: white corn flour

    Read the full ingredient profile for White Corn Flour

  • Is Onion safe in this sauce condiment?

    Good

    Onion is used here as natural_extract. Onion is a natural flavoring agent that adds depth and aroma to the marinade, contributing positively to the overall flavor.

    Role in formula: natural_extract

    Original: onion

    Read the full ingredient profile for Onion

  • Is Spices safe in this sauce condiment?

    Good

    Spices is used here as flavor. A blend of spices, including red pepper, enhances flavor complexity and provides a characteristic taste to the marinade.

    Role in formula: flavor

    Original: spices (including red pepper)

    Read the full ingredient profile for Spices

  • Is Tomato safe in this sauce condiment?

    Good

    Tomato is used here as natural_extract. Tomato adds natural sweetness and acidity, contributing to the overall flavor profile of the marinade.

    Role in formula: natural_extract

    Original: tomato

    Read the full ingredient profile for Tomato

  • Is Garlic safe in this sauce condiment?

    Good

    Garlic is used here as natural_extract. Garlic is a natural flavor enhancer that adds a distinct taste and aroma, positively impacting the overall flavor.

    Role in formula: natural_extract

    Original: garlic

    Read the full ingredient profile for Garlic

  • 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. While it improves texture, it raises concerns about processing and additives.

    Role in formula: thickener

    Original: modified corn starch

  • Is Corn Syrup Solids safe in this sauce condiment?

    Bad

    Corn Syrup Solids is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup solids are a processed sweetener that adds calories without nutritional benefits, raising concerns about added sugars.

    Role in formula: sweetener

    Original: corn syrup solids

    Read the full ingredient profile for Corn Syrup Solids

  • Is Sugar safe in this sauce condiment?

    Bad

    Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is an added sweetener that contributes to calorie content without providing nutritional value, which is a concern for health.

    Role in formula: sweetener

    Original: sugar

    Read the full ingredient profile for Sugar

  • Is Maltodextrin safe in this sauce condiment?

    Medium

    Maltodextrin is used here as thickener. Maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate used for texture. It may raise concerns due to its processing and lack of nutritional benefits.

    Role in formula: thickener

    Original: maltodextrin

    Read the full ingredient profile for Maltodextrin

  • Is Green Chili Pepper safe in this sauce condiment?

    Good

    Green Chili Pepper is used here as natural_extract. Green chili pepper adds heat and flavor, enhancing the overall taste profile of the marinade.

    Role in formula: natural_extract

    Original: green chili pepper

    Read the full ingredient profile for Green Chili Pepper

  • Is Citric Acid safe in this sauce condiment?

    Medium

    Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used for acidity and preservation. While it enhances flavor, it is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns.

    Role in formula: acidulant

    Original: citric acid

    Read the full ingredient profile for Citric Acid

  • Is Lime Juice safe in this sauce condiment?

    Good

    Lime Juice is used here as natural_extract. Lime juice provides natural acidity and flavor, contributing positively to the overall taste of the marinade.

    Role in formula: natural_extract

    Original: lime juice

    Read the full ingredient profile for Lime Juice

  • Is Vinegar safe in this sauce condiment?

    Good

    Vinegar is used here as acidulant. Vinegar adds acidity and flavor, enhancing the overall taste profile of the marinade without raising significant concerns.

    Role in formula: acidulant

    Original: vinegar

    Read the full ingredient profile for Vinegar

  • Is Lime Oil safe in this sauce condiment?

    Good

    Lime Oil is used here as flavor. Lime oil contributes a strong citrus flavor, enhancing the overall taste and aroma of the marinade.

    Role in formula: flavor

    Original: lime oil

    Read the full ingredient profile for Lime Oil

  • Is Lime safe in this sauce condiment?

    Good

    Lime is used here as natural_extract. Lime adds natural acidity and flavor, positively impacting the overall taste profile of the marinade.

    Role in formula: natural_extract

    Original: lime

    Read the full ingredient profile for Lime

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: 3233966

More from this brand: McCormick 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

McCormick — McCormick Grill Mates Mexican Fiesta 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 McCormick 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.
Our analysis notes: Contains natural ingredients like onion, garlic, and lime juice, contributing to flavor.; Incorporates spices such as red pepper and green chili pepper for added taste.; Lime oil and citric acid provide acidity, enhancing the overall flavor profile.. See the Pros section above.
Browse sauce condiment products on Zerotox with ingredient analysis.
This product is flagged for: Modified corn starch is a processed thickener that may raise concerns about quality.; Corn syrup solids and sugar indicate the presence of added sugars, which can be problematic.; Maltodextrin is a processed ingredient that may affect the overall healthiness of the product.. See the Concerns and Ingredients sections above.
We do not detect parabens in this product's listed ingredients. Always check the label as formulations change.
McCormick — McCormick Grill Mates Mexican Fiesta Marinade has a Zerotox score of 60 / 100 among sauce condiment products. See the full breakdown above.
The composition includes salt and various spices, but also contains modified corn starch and corn syrup solids, which raise concerns about processing and additives. This results in a moderate rating. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
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.
McCormick — McCormick Grill Mates Mexican Fiesta Marinade has a Zerotox safety score of 60 / 100. Check the ingredient breakdown above. More McCormick products. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
This product includes positive or neutral ingredients such as: salt, onion, spices. See the Ingredients section above.