Is Mexican Style Street Corn Taco Shells Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Old El Paso
Old El Paso's Mexican Style Street Corn Taco Shells 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 Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes palm oil and monosodium glutamate, which are processed ingredients that raise quality concerns. The presence of whey and cheddar cheese indicates dairy content, affecting dietary restrictions.
Main concern
Palm oil is a processed fat that raises concerns about sustainability and health.
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 limed corn flour, a staple ingredient providing texture and flavor.
- Includes natural flavors and spices, enhancing the overall taste profile.
- Lime juice and citric acid contribute acidity, balancing flavors in the taco shells.
Concerns
- Palm oil is a processed fat that raises concerns about sustainability and health.
- Monosodium glutamate is a flavor enhancer that may cause sensitivity in some individuals.
- Whey and cheddar cheese indicate dairy content, which may not suit lactose-intolerant consumers.
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 Limed Corn Flour safe in this food?
Good
Limed Corn Flour is used here as base. Limed corn flour is the primary ingredient, providing structure and flavor to the taco shells. It is minimally processed and a traditional component in Mexican cuisine.
Role in formula: base
Original: Limed Corn Flour
-
Is Water safe in this food?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water is essential for dough formation, contributing to the texture of the taco shells without any quality concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: Water
-
Is Palm Oil safe in this food?
Medium
Palm Oil is used here as base. Palm oil is used for moisture and texture but raises concerns regarding health implications and environmental sustainability due to deforestation issues.
Role in formula: base
Original: Palm Oil
-
Is Whey safe in this food?
Medium
Whey is used here as base. Whey is a dairy byproduct that adds protein and flavor but may not be suitable for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies.
Role in formula: base
Original: Whey
-
Is Salt safe in this food?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor and is a common ingredient in many food products, contributing to the overall taste without significant concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Salt
-
Is Spice safe in this food?
Good
Spice is used here as flavor. Spices add flavor complexity to the taco shells, enhancing the overall taste profile without raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Spice
-
Is Monosodium Glutamate safe in this food?
Medium
Monosodium Glutamate is used here as flavor. Monosodium glutamate is a flavor enhancer that can improve taste but may cause sensitivity in some individuals, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Monosodium Glutamate
-
Is Corn Syrup Solids safe in this food?
Medium
Corn Syrup Solids is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup solids are used for sweetness and texture but are a processed ingredient that may raise concerns about added sugars.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Corn Syrup Solids
-
Is Onion safe in this food?
Good
Onion is used here as flavor. Onion provides natural flavor and aroma, contributing positively to the overall taste without quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Onion
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this food?
Good
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used to enhance flavor and preserve freshness, raising no significant safety concerns in this context.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Citric Acid
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Is Lime Juice safe in this food?
Good
Lime Juice is used here as flavor. Lime juice adds acidity and freshness, enhancing the flavor profile of the taco shells without quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Lime Juice
-
Is Natural Flavor safe in this food?
Medium
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavorings enhance taste but can be vague in origin, raising some concerns about transparency in ingredient sourcing.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Natural Flavor
-
Is Cheddar Cheese safe in this food?
Medium
Cheddar Cheese is used here as base. Cheddar cheese adds flavor and richness but may not be suitable for lactose-intolerant individuals, raising dietary concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: Cheddar Cheese
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Is Disodium Inosinate safe in this food?
Bad
Disodium Inosinate is used here as flavor. Disodium inosinate is a flavor enhancer that is synthetic and raises concerns about artificial additives in food products.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Disodium Inosinate
-
Is Disodium Guanylate safe in this food?
Bad
Disodium Guanylate is used here as flavor. Disodium guanylate is another synthetic flavor enhancer that may raise concerns about artificial additives and their effects on health.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Disodium Guanylate
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: 3219166
More from this brand: Old El Paso products in Zerotox
Similar products: food in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: milk
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.