Is Meatballs & Marinara Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Eating Right
Eating Right's Meatballs & Marinara is reviewed here as a food. Zerotox gives it 60/100 based on the current ingredient profile, so it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The ingredient review below focuses especially on Modified Corn Starch.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes several processed ingredients like modified corn starch and brown sugar, which raise quality concerns. The presence of preservatives and synthetic additives indicates a moderately processed product.
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 real meatballs made from beef and pork, providing a source of protein.
- Includes parmesan cheese, which adds flavor and a source of calcium.
- Marinara sauce contains tomatoes, a natural ingredient with beneficial properties.
- Spices and herbs like basil enhance flavor without artificial additives.
Concerns
- Modified corn starch is a processed thickener that may raise concerns about quality.
- Brown sugar and added sugars contribute to a higher processed ingredient profile.
- Presence of sodium and salt in multiple components raises concerns about sodium intake.
- Dehydrated garlic and onion may lack the freshness and nutritional benefits of fresh ingredients.
Who should avoid this product?
This formula may not suit:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this food, not just listed as a raw label.
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Is Beef safe in this food?
Good
Beef is used here as base. Beef is a primary protein source in the meatballs, contributing essential nutrients. Its quality depends on sourcing and processing.
Role in formula: base
Original: beef
-
Is Pork safe in this food?
Good
Pork is used here as base. Pork adds flavor and protein to the meatballs. Quality can vary based on sourcing and processing methods.
Role in formula: base
Original: pork
-
Is Egg safe in this food?
Good
Egg is used here as base. Egg acts as a binder in meatballs, providing structure and additional protein. Sourcing impacts quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: egg
-
Is Parmesan Cheese safe in this food?
Good
Parmesan Cheese is used here as base. Parmesan cheese adds flavor and calcium. Its quality is influenced by the milk source and cheese-making process.
Role in formula: base
Original: parmesan cheese [pasteurized part skim milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes]
-
Is Water safe in this food?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water is a necessary ingredient for moisture in the meatballs and sauce, posing no quality concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: water
-
Is Tomato Paste safe in this food?
Good
Tomato Paste is used here as base. Tomato paste provides flavor and nutrients, being a natural ingredient. Quality depends on sourcing.
Role in formula: base
Original: tomato paste [tomato paste, salt, citric acid]
-
Is Bread Crumbs safe in this food?
Medium
Bread Crumbs is used here as base. Bread crumbs add texture to meatballs but are processed and may contain added sugars and preservatives.
Role in formula: base
Original: bread crumbs [rice flour, water, yeast, salt, sugar]
-
Is Spices safe in this food?
Good
Spices is used here as flavor. Spices enhance flavor naturally without artificial additives, contributing positively to the product's profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: spices
-
Is Dehydrated Onions safe in this food?
Medium
Dehydrated Onions is used here as flavor. Dehydrated onions provide flavor but lack the freshness and nutrients of fresh onions, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: dehydrated onions
-
Is Salt safe in this food?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt is used for flavor enhancement but raises concerns about sodium content in the overall product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
-
Is Dehydrated Garlic safe in this food?
Medium
Dehydrated Garlic is used here as flavor. Dehydrated garlic adds flavor but may not provide the same health benefits as fresh garlic.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: dehydrated garlic
-
Is Marinara Sauce safe in this food?
Good
Marinara Sauce is used here as base. The marinara sauce contains tomatoes and herbs, contributing flavor and nutrients, though it includes some processed ingredients.
Role in formula: base
Original: marinara sauce (tomatoes in juice [tomatoes, calcium chloride, citric acid], water, tomatoes in puree [tomatoes, tomato puree, salt], onion, modified corn starch, brown sugar, tomato base [tomato puree, sunflower and olive oil, yeast extract, tomato paste, potato flour, sugar, natural flavor, citric acid], soybean oil, garlic, olive oil, basil, onion powder, garlic powder, spices)
-
Is Modified Corn Starch safe in this food?
Bad
Modified Corn Starch is used here as thickener. Modified corn starch is a processed thickener that may raise concerns about quality and potential additives in the product.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: modified corn starch
-
Is Brown Sugar safe in this food?
Medium
Brown Sugar is used here as sweetener. Brown sugar adds sweetness but is a processed ingredient that contributes to the overall sugar content.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: brown sugar
-
Is Soybean Oil safe in this food?
Medium
Soybean Oil is used here as base. Soybean oil is a common cooking oil that is processed and may raise concerns about quality and sourcing.
Role in formula: base
Original: soybean oil
-
Is Olive Oil safe in this food?
Good
Olive Oil is used here as base. Olive oil is a healthier fat option, providing flavor and potential health benefits, depending on quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: olive oil
-
Is Basil safe in this food?
Good
Basil is used here as flavor. Basil is a natural herb that enhances flavor without artificial additives, contributing positively to the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: basil
-
Is Onion Powder safe in this food?
Medium
Onion Powder is used here as flavor. Onion powder provides flavor but lacks the freshness and nutrients of fresh onions, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: onion powder
-
Is Garlic Powder safe in this food?
Medium
Garlic Powder is used here as flavor. Garlic powder adds flavor but may not provide the same health benefits as fresh garlic, impacting quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: garlic powder
-
Is Spices safe in this food?
Good
Spices is used here as flavor. Spices enhance flavor naturally without artificial additives, contributing positively to the product's profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: spices
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: 3323224
More from this brand: Eating Right products in Zerotox
Similar products: food in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: egg , milk
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.