Is Montreal Steak 30 Minute Marinade Safe? Ingredient Analysis
McCormick Grill Mates
Montreal Steak 30 Minute Marinade is a sauce condiment from McCormick Grill Mates. 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 Caramel Color, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate as preservatives, raising concerns about synthetic additives. The presence of sugar and caramel color also indicates a processed nature, impacting 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 flavors and spices, contributing to a more authentic taste profile.
- Includes mandarin orange juice, which adds a citrusy note and enhances flavor complexity.
Concerns
- Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are synthetic preservatives that may raise quality concerns.
- Caramel color and added sugars indicate a processed composition, which can detract from overall quality.
Who should avoid this product?
This sauce condiment may not be the best fit for:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
Ingredients breakdown
Each ingredient below is explained in the context of this sauce condiment so the page answers more than a simple label list.
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Is Water safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as the primary solvent in this marinade, ensuring even distribution of flavors.
Role in formula: base
Original: Water
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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.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: distilled vinegar
-
Is Salt safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor and acts as a preservative, contributing to the overall taste profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
-
Is Soy Sauce safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Soy Sauce is used here as flavor. Soy sauce adds umami flavor but contains wheat, which may be a concern for gluten-sensitive individuals.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: soy sauce (water, wheat, soybeans, salt)
-
Is Worchester Sauce safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Worchester Sauce is used here as flavor. Worcestershire sauce adds depth of flavor but contains sugar and caramel color, raising processing concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: worchester sauce (vinegar, molasses, corn syrup, water, salt, caramel color, garlic, sugar, spices, tamarind, natural flavor)
-
Is Spices safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Spices is used here as flavor. A blend of spices, including black pepper, enhances flavor complexity without synthetic additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: spices (including black pepper)
-
Is Mandarin Orange Juice safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Mandarin Orange Juice is used here as flavor. Mandarin orange juice adds a natural sweetness and citrus flavor, enhancing the marinade's profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: mandarin orange juice
-
Is Garlic safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Garlic is used here as flavor. Garlic contributes a robust flavor and is a natural ingredient, enhancing the marinade's quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: garlic
-
Is Sugar safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar adds sweetness but raises concerns about processed ingredients and overall health impact.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Modified Corn Starch safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Modified Corn Starch is used here as thickener. Modified corn starch acts as a thickener, but its processing raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: modified corn starch
-
Is Sherry Wine safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Sherry Wine is used here as flavor. Sherry wine adds depth and complexity to the flavor profile, enhancing the overall taste.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: sherry wine
-
Is Caramel Color safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Caramel Color is used here as colorant. Caramel color is an artificial colorant that raises concerns about synthetic additives in the product.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: caramel color
-
Is Soybean Oil safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Soybean Oil is used here as emulsifier. Soybean oil serves as an emulsifier but is a processed ingredient that may raise health concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: soybean oil
-
Is Xanthan Gum safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Xanthan Gum is used here as thickener. Xanthan gum is a thickening agent that can improve texture but is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: xanthan gum
-
Is Potassium Sorbate safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Potassium Sorbate is used here as preservative. Potassium sorbate is a synthetic preservative used to extend shelf life, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: potassium sorbate
-
Is Sodium Benzoate safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Sodium Benzoate is used here as preservative. Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative that protects quality but raises concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: sodium benzoate (to protect quality)
-
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.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural flavor
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: 3234167
More from this brand: McCormick Grill Mates 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.