Is Muffins Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Schwartz Brothers Bakery
Muffins is one of the snack products analyzed by Zerotox for Schwartz Brothers Bakery. The product scores 55/100 in Zerotox, meaning it shows multiple flagged ingredients that may matter for sensitive users.
The sections below explain why ingredients like Modified Food Starch, Palm Oil, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate affect the overall evaluation.
55 / 100
Why score is 55
The ingredient composition includes several processed components like modified food starch and artificial flavor, raising quality concerns. Sodium benzoate as a preservative also indicates a highly processed product.
Main concern
Presence of sodium benzoate as a preservative raises concerns about synthetic additives.
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 whole eggs, providing a source of natural protein and richness.
- Natural almond emulsion adds flavor without synthetic alternatives.
- Includes almonds and poppy seeds, contributing texture and taste.
Concerns
- Presence of sodium benzoate as a preservative raises concerns about synthetic additives.
- Modified food starch and artificial flavor indicate a highly processed composition.
- Bleached enriched wheat flour may contain additives that some consumers prefer to avoid.
Who should avoid this product?
This product may be less suitable for:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Instead of a flat list, this section explains each ingredient in the context of this snack.
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Is Sugar safe in this snack?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is used to sweeten the muffins, but its refined nature raises concerns about excessive consumption.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
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Is Bleached Enriched Wheat Flour safe in this snack?
Medium
Bleached Enriched Wheat Flour is used here as base. This flour is processed and bleached, which may involve chemical treatments that some consumers avoid.
Role in formula: base
Original: bleached enriched wheat flour [niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid]
Read the full ingredient profile for Bleached Enriched Wheat Flour
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Is Soybean Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Soybean Oil is used here as base. Soybean oil is a common cooking oil, but its refined nature may raise concerns for some consumers.
Role in formula: base
Original: soybean oil
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Is Modified Food Starch safe in this snack?
Bad
Modified Food Starch is used here as thickener. Modified food starch is a processed ingredient that can raise concerns about its source and processing methods.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: modified food starch
-
Is Dried Whey safe in this snack?
Medium
Dried Whey is used here as base. Dried whey is a dairy derivative that adds protein but may not be suitable for those avoiding dairy.
Role in formula: base
Original: dried whey [dairy derivative]
-
Is Palm Oil safe in this snack?
Bad
Palm Oil is used here as base. Palm oil is often criticized for environmental concerns related to its production and may raise health concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: palm oil
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Is Sodium Aluminum Phosphate safe in this snack?
Bad
Sodium Aluminum Phosphate is used here as leavening. This leavening agent is synthetic and raises concerns about its safety and long-term health effects.
Role in formula: leavening
Original: sodium aluminum phosphate
Read the full ingredient profile for Sodium Aluminum Phosphate
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Is Sodium Bicarbonate safe in this snack?
Medium
Sodium Bicarbonate is used here as leavening. Sodium bicarbonate is a common leavening agent, generally recognized as safe but can raise concerns in excess.
Role in formula: leavening
Original: sodium bicarbonate
-
Is Propylene Glycol Monoester safe in this snack?
Bad
Propylene Glycol Monoester is used here as emulsifier. This emulsifier is synthetic and may raise concerns about its long-term health effects.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: propylene glycol monoester
Read the full ingredient profile for Propylene Glycol Monoester
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Is Soybean Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Soybean Oil is used here as base. Soybean oil is a common cooking oil, but its refined nature may raise concerns for some consumers.
Role in formula: base
Original: soybean oil
-
Is Mono Diglycerides safe in this snack?
Medium
Mono Diglycerides is used here as emulsifier. These emulsifiers are derived from fats and can raise concerns about their processing and source.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: mono & diglycerides
-
Is Lecithin safe in this snack?
Medium
Lecithin is used here as emulsifier. Lecithin is often derived from soy and is used to improve texture, but its source may raise concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: lecithin
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Is Bha safe in this snack?
Bad
Bha is used here as preservative. BHA is a synthetic antioxidant that raises concerns about its potential health effects.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: bha
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Is Citric Acid safe in this snack?
Medium
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is a natural preservative and flavor enhancer, but its processing may raise concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: citric acid
-
Is Wheat Gluten safe in this snack?
Medium
Wheat Gluten is used here as base. Wheat gluten is used for texture but may not be suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
Role in formula: base
Original: wheat gluten
-
Is Salt safe in this snack?
Good
Salt is used here as base. Salt is a common ingredient that enhances flavor, but excessive consumption can be a concern.
Role in formula: base
Original: salt
-
Is Artificial Flavor safe in this snack?
Bad
Artificial Flavor is used here as flavor. Artificial flavoring is synthetic and raises concerns about its safety and potential health effects.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: artificial flavor
-
Is Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate safe in this snack?
Medium
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate is used here as emulsifier. This emulsifier is used to improve texture but may raise concerns about its synthetic nature.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: sodium stearoyl lactylate
Read the full ingredient profile for Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
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Is Whole Eggs safe in this snack?
Good
Whole Eggs is used here as base. Whole eggs provide natural protein and richness, contributing positively to the product's quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: whole eggs
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Is Canola Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Canola Oil is used here as base. Canola oil is a common cooking oil, but its processing and potential GMO origins may raise concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: canola oil
-
Is Water safe in this snack?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water is a fundamental ingredient, essential for the product's texture and moisture.
Role in formula: base
Original: water
-
Is Almonds safe in this snack?
Good
Almonds is used here as base. Almonds add texture and flavor, providing a source of healthy fats and nutrients.
Role in formula: base
Original: almonds
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Is Poppy Seeds safe in this snack?
Good
Poppy Seeds is used here as base. Poppy seeds contribute texture and flavor, enhancing the overall sensory experience of the muffins.
Role in formula: base
Original: poppy seeds
-
Is Natural Almond Emulsion safe in this snack?
Medium
Natural Almond Emulsion is used here as flavor. This emulsion adds flavor without synthetic alternatives, but its processing may raise concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural almond emulsion (water, natural flavors, xanthan gum, citric acid, sodium benzoate)
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Is Vanilla Extract safe in this snack?
Good
Vanilla Extract is used here as flavor. Vanilla extract provides natural flavor, enhancing the overall taste profile of the muffins.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: vanilla extract (water, ethyl alcohol, extractives of vanilla beans)
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: 3408662
More from this brand: Schwartz Brothers Bakery products in Zerotox
Similar products: snack in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: milk , wheat , egg , tree_nut
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.