Is Picnic Triple Sandwich Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Sainsbury's
Picnic Triple Sandwich is a food from Sainsbury's. 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 Sodium Nitrite, Sugar.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes several processed ingredients like sodium nitrite and sugar, which raise quality concerns. The presence of preservatives and emulsifiers indicates a highly processed product.
Main concern
Sodium nitrite is a preservative linked to health concerns, reducing overall 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 chicken breast and free-range egg, providing protein sources.
- Malted bread includes whole grain elements, contributing to fiber content.
- Uses rapeseed oil, a source of unsaturated fats, which is generally considered healthier.
Concerns
- Sodium nitrite is a preservative linked to health concerns, reducing overall quality.
- Sugar is present in multiple components, indicating added sweetness that may not be necessary.
- Emulsifiers like mono- and diglycerides raise concerns about processed ingredients.
Who should avoid this product?
This food may not be the best fit for:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Each ingredient below is explained in the context of this food so the page answers more than a simple label list.
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Is Wheat Flour safe in this food?
Medium
Wheat Flour is used here as base. Wheat flour serves as the primary ingredient in the bread, providing structure. However, it is a refined grain, which may lack some nutrients compared to whole grains.
Role in formula: base
Original: Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Folic Acid, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin)
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Is Sliced Chicken Breast safe in this food?
Good
Sliced Chicken Breast is used here as base. Sliced chicken breast is a lean protein source, contributing to the sandwich's nutritional value. It is minimally processed, enhancing its quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: Sliced Chicken Breast (26%) (Chicken Breast, Rice Starch, Water, Salt)
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Is Black Pepper Mayonnaise safe in this food?
Medium
Black Pepper Mayonnaise is used here as flavor. Black pepper mayonnaise adds flavor and moisture to the sandwich. However, it contains sugar and preservatives, which may detract from its overall quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Black Pepper Mayonnaise (Water, Rapeseed Oil, Cornflour, Spirit Vinegar, Pasteurised Free Range Egg Yolk, Black Pepper, Sugar, White Wine Vinegar, Concentrated Lemon Juice, Salt, Mustard Seeds)
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Is Beechwood Smoked Bacon safe in this food?
Medium
Beechwood Smoked Bacon is used here as base. Beechwood smoked bacon adds flavor and richness but contains sodium nitrite as a preservative, raising health concerns associated with processed meats.
Role in formula: base
Original: Beechwood Smoked Bacon (11%) (Pork Belly, Sugar, Salt, Antioxidant: Sodium Ascorbate; Preservative: Sodium Nitrite)
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Is Free Range Egg safe in this food?
Good
Free Range Egg is used here as base. Free range egg is a high-quality protein source, contributing to the sandwich's nutritional profile. It is minimally processed, enhancing its safety and quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: Free Range Egg (38%)
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Is Medium Mature Cheddar Cheese safe in this food?
Good
Medium Mature Cheddar Cheese is used here as base. Medium mature cheddar cheese provides flavor and protein. It is made from cow's milk, which is a common dairy source, contributing to the sandwich's richness.
Role in formula: base
Original: Medium Mature Cheddar Cheese (17%) (Cows Milk)
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Is Sodium Nitrite safe in this food?
Bad
Sodium Nitrite is used here as preservative. Sodium nitrite is used as a preservative in meats to prevent spoilage. However, it has been linked to potential health risks, particularly in processed meats.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: Preservative: Sodium Nitrite
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Is Sugar safe in this food?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is added to enhance flavor but contributes to unnecessary sweetness and raises concerns about excessive sugar intake in processed foods.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sugar
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: 3963811
More from this brand: Sainsbury's products in Zerotox
Similar products: food in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: egg , milk , wheat
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.