Is Plant-Based Chili Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Signature Cafe
Signature Cafe's Plant-Based Chili 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 Caramel Color, Modified Corn Starch.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes several processed ingredients like canola oil and modified corn starch, which raise quality concerns. Additionally, caramel color is a synthetic colorant, indicating a less natural profile.
Main concern
Canola oil is a refined oil that may raise concerns about processing and 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 tomatoes and pinto beans, which are good sources of nutrients and fiber.
- Includes various vegetables like onions, garlic, and bell peppers, contributing to flavor and nutrition.
- Soy protein crumbles provide a plant-based protein source, appealing to vegetarians.
Concerns
- Canola oil is a refined oil that may raise concerns about processing and quality.
- Caramel color is a synthetic additive that may indicate a less natural product composition.
- Modified corn starch is a processed thickener that can raise quality concerns.
Ingredients breakdown
Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this food, not just listed as a raw label.
-
Is Tomatoes safe in this food?
Good
Tomatoes is used here as base. Tomatoes provide flavor and are a source of vitamins and antioxidants, contributing positively to the product's nutritional profile.
Role in formula: base
Original: TOMATOES
-
Is Cooked Pinto Beans safe in this food?
Good
Cooked Pinto Beans is used here as base. Pinto beans are a good source of plant-based protein and fiber, enhancing the nutritional value of the chili.
Role in formula: base
Original: COOKED PINTO BEANS
-
Is Soy Protein Crumbles safe in this food?
Good
Soy Protein Crumbles is used here as base. Soy protein crumbles serve as a meat alternative, providing protein while being plant-based, which is beneficial for vegetarians.
Role in formula: base
Original: SOY PROTEIN CRUMBLES
-
Is Water safe in this food?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water is essential for the chili's consistency and helps in cooking the ingredients evenly.
Role in formula: base
Original: WATER
-
Is Soy Protein Concentrate safe in this food?
Medium
Soy Protein Concentrate is used here as base. Soy protein concentrate is a processed form of soy that provides protein but raises concerns about processing methods.
Role in formula: base
Original: SOY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE
Read the full ingredient profile for Soy Protein Concentrate
-
Is Canola Oil safe in this food?
Medium
Canola Oil is used here as base. Canola oil is a refined oil that may raise concerns about its processing and potential health implications.
Role in formula: base
Original: CANOLA OIL
-
Is Yeast Extract safe in this food?
Medium
Yeast Extract is used here as flavor. Yeast extract is used for flavor enhancement but is a processed ingredient that may not appeal to all consumers.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: YEAST EXTRACT
-
Is Caramel Color safe in this food?
Bad
Caramel Color is used here as colorant. Caramel color is a synthetic colorant that raises concerns about artificial additives in food products.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: CARAMEL COLOR
-
Is Salt safe in this food?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor but excessive use can be a concern for sodium intake, impacting health.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: SALT
-
Is Distilled White Vinegar safe in this food?
Good
Distilled White Vinegar is used here as acidulant. Distilled white vinegar adds acidity and flavor, and is a natural ingredient that can enhance preservation.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: DISTILLED WHITE VINEGAR
Read the full ingredient profile for Distilled White Vinegar
-
Is Xanthan Gum safe in this food?
Medium
Xanthan Gum is used here as thickener. Xanthan gum is a thickening agent that helps improve texture but is a processed ingredient with mixed perceptions.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: XANTHAN GUM
-
Is Onion safe in this food?
Good
Onion is used here as base. Onion adds flavor and aroma, contributing positively to the overall taste profile of the chili.
Role in formula: base
Original: ONION
-
Is Garlic safe in this food?
Good
Garlic is used here as base. Garlic enhances flavor and is known for its potential health benefits, adding to the product's appeal.
Role in formula: base
Original: GARLIC
-
Is Green Cabbage safe in this food?
Good
Green Cabbage is used here as base. Green cabbage adds texture and nutrients, contributing positively to the overall composition.
Role in formula: base
Original: GREEN CABBAGE
-
Is Mushroom safe in this food?
Good
Mushroom is used here as base. Mushrooms provide umami flavor and are a source of nutrients, enhancing the chili's profile.
Role in formula: base
Original: MUSHROOM
-
Is Black Pepper safe in this food?
Good
Black Pepper is used here as flavor. Black pepper adds spiciness and flavor, contributing to the overall taste experience of the chili.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: BLACK PEPPER
-
Is Ginger safe in this food?
Good
Ginger is used here as flavor. Ginger adds a unique flavor and potential health benefits, enhancing the product's appeal.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: GINGER
-
Is Green Bell Peppers safe in this food?
Good
Green Bell Peppers is used here as base. Green bell peppers contribute flavor and nutrients, enhancing the overall composition of the chili.
Role in formula: base
Original: GREEN BELL PEPPERS
-
Is Red Bell Peppers safe in this food?
Good
Red Bell Peppers is used here as base. Red bell peppers add sweetness and color, contributing positively to the flavor and appearance.
Role in formula: base
Original: RED BELL PEPPERS
-
Is Vegetable Stock safe in this food?
Medium
Vegetable Stock is used here as base. Vegetable stock adds flavor but may contain processed ingredients that raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: VEGETABLE STOCK (WATER, CARROTS, ONIONS, CELERY, SALT, SUGAR, CORN OIL, POTATO FLOUR, CARROT POWDER)
-
Is Onions safe in this food?
Good
Onions is used here as base. Onions enhance flavor and aroma, contributing positively to the overall taste profile of the chili.
Role in formula: base
Original: ONIONS
-
Is Tomato Paste safe in this food?
Good
Tomato Paste is used here as base. Tomato paste intensifies the tomato flavor and adds thickness, enhancing the overall composition.
Role in formula: base
Original: TOMATO PASTE
-
Is Garlic safe in this food?
Good
Garlic is used here as base. Garlic enhances flavor and is known for its potential health benefits, adding to the product's appeal.
Role in formula: base
Original: GARLIC
-
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 raises concerns about its quality and processing methods.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: MODIFIED CORN STARCH
-
Is Lime Juice safe in this food?
Good
Lime Juice is used here as acidulant. Lime juice adds acidity and freshness, enhancing the flavor profile of the chili.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: LIME JUICE
-
Is Cultured Dextrose safe in this food?
Medium
Cultured Dextrose is used here as preservative. Cultured dextrose is used for preservation but is a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: CULTURED DEXTROSE
-
Is Cilantro safe in this food?
Good
Cilantro is used here as flavor. Cilantro adds freshness and flavor, contributing positively to the overall taste of the chili.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: CILANTRO
-
Is Jalapeno Peppers safe in this food?
Good
Jalapeno Peppers is used here as flavor. Jalapeno peppers provide heat and flavor, enhancing the spiciness of the chili.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: JALAPENO PEPPERS
-
Is Distilled Vinegar safe in this food?
Good
Distilled Vinegar is used here as acidulant. Distilled vinegar adds acidity and flavor, and is a natural ingredient that can enhance preservation.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: DISTILLED VINEGAR
-
Is Garlic Powder safe in this food?
Medium
Garlic Powder is used here as flavor. Garlic powder enhances flavor but is a processed ingredient that may not appeal to all consumers.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: GARLIC POWDER
-
Is Salt safe in this food?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor but excessive use can be a concern for sodium intake, impacting health.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: SALT
-
Is Spices safe in this food?
Good
Spices is used here as flavor. Spices contribute to the overall flavor profile, enhancing the taste experience of the chili.
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: 2393565
More from this brand: Signature Cafe products in Zerotox
Similar products: food in Zerotox database
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.