Is Plant Chef Cumberland Style Meat Free Bangers Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Tesco
This page reviews Plant Chef Cumberland Style Meat Free Bangers by Tesco as a food. Its current score is 60/100, suggesting that it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: Flavourings, Sugar, Caramelised Sugar.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The product contains a mix of ingredients, including pea protein and various stabilizers. However, the presence of additives like maltodextrin and sugar raises quality concerns.
Main concern
Maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate that may raise concerns about its impact on blood sugar levels.
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
- Pea protein serves as a primary protein source, contributing to the product's meat-free profile.
- Contains natural herbs like thyme and sage, enhancing flavor without synthetic additives.
Concerns
- Maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate that may raise concerns about its impact on blood sugar levels.
- Includes sugar and dextrose, which are added for flavor but contribute to a less favorable composition.
Ingredients breakdown
The ingredient notes below are written to explain what each ingredient does in this food and why it matters.
-
Is Water safe in this food?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water acts as a solvent and base for the product, ensuring proper texture and moisture content.
Role in formula: base
Original: Water
-
Is Pea Protein safe in this food?
Good
Pea Protein is used here as base. Pea protein provides a plant-based protein source, contributing to the product's nutritional profile and meat-like texture.
Role in formula: base
Original: Pea Protein (11%)
-
Is Onion safe in this food?
Good
Onion is used here as flavor. Onion adds natural flavor and aroma, enhancing the overall taste profile of the product without artificial additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Onion
-
Is Rapeseed Oil safe in this food?
Medium
Rapeseed Oil is used here as base. Rapeseed oil is used for moisture and texture but is a refined oil, raising some concerns about processing.
Role in formula: base
Original: Rapeseed Oil
-
Is Closed Cup Mushroom safe in this food?
Good
Closed Cup Mushroom is used here as flavor. Mushrooms contribute umami flavor and texture, enhancing the overall taste without synthetic ingredients.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Closed Cup Mushroom
-
Is Methyl Cellulose safe in this food?
Medium
Methyl Cellulose is used here as stabilizer. Methyl cellulose is a plant-derived thickener that helps maintain texture but is a processed ingredient with mixed safety perceptions.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: Stabiliser (Methyl Cellulose)
-
Is Rice Flour safe in this food?
Medium
Rice Flour is used here as base. Rice flour serves as a binding agent, providing structure but is a refined carbohydrate with limited nutritional benefits.
Role in formula: base
Original: Rice Flour
-
Is Dried Potato safe in this food?
Medium
Dried Potato is used here as base. Dried potato adds texture and binding properties but is processed, which may reduce its nutritional value.
Role in formula: base
Original: Dried Potato
-
Is Shea Fat safe in this food?
Medium
Shea Fat is used here as base. Shea fat is used for texture and moisture but is a processed fat, raising concerns about its health implications.
Role in formula: base
Original: Shea Fat
-
Is Chickpea Flour safe in this food?
Good
Chickpea Flour is used here as base. Chickpea flour provides protein and fiber, enhancing the nutritional profile of the product.
Role in formula: base
Original: Chickpea Flour
-
Is Bamboo Fibre safe in this food?
Good
Bamboo Fibre is used here as base. Bamboo fibre adds texture and may contribute to fiber content, supporting digestive health.
Role in formula: base
Original: Bamboo Fibre
-
Is Yeast Extract safe in this food?
Medium
Yeast Extract is used here as flavor. Yeast extract enhances flavor through natural fermentation but may contain high levels of sodium, raising concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Yeast Extract
-
Is Coconut Oil safe in this food?
Medium
Coconut Oil is used here as base. Coconut oil adds richness and flavor but is high in saturated fat, which may raise health concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: Coconut Oil
-
Is Parsley safe in this food?
Good
Parsley is used here as flavor. Parsley adds freshness and flavor, contributing to the product's overall taste without synthetic additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Parsley
-
Is Black Pepper safe in this food?
Good
Black Pepper is used here as flavor. Black pepper enhances flavor and may have antioxidant properties, contributing positively to the product's profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Black Pepper
-
Is Flavourings safe in this food?
Bad
Flavourings is used here as flavor. Flavourings are often synthetic and can raise concerns about quality and safety due to lack of transparency.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Flavourings
-
Is Sugar safe in this food?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is added for sweetness but contributes to a less favorable nutritional profile, raising health concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sugar
-
Is Salt safe in this food?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor but excessive consumption can lead to health issues, raising concerns about sodium levels.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Salt
-
Is Sea Salt safe in this food?
Medium
Sea Salt is used here as flavor. Sea salt is used for flavor enhancement but, like regular salt, can contribute to high sodium intake.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Sea Salt
-
Is Cornflour safe in this food?
Medium
Cornflour is used here as thickener. Cornflour acts as a thickening agent but is a refined carbohydrate with limited nutritional benefits.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Cornflour
-
Is Thyme safe in this food?
Good
Thyme is used here as flavor. Thyme adds natural flavor and aroma, enhancing the product's taste without synthetic additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Thyme
-
Is Sage safe in this food?
Good
Sage is used here as flavor. Sage contributes to flavor and may have antioxidant properties, positively impacting the product's profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Sage
-
Is Marjoram safe in this food?
Good
Marjoram is used here as flavor. Marjoram adds flavor and aroma, enhancing the overall taste without synthetic ingredients.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Marjoram
-
Is Maltodextrin safe in this food?
Medium
Maltodextrin is used here as thickener. Maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate that may raise concerns about its impact on blood sugar levels.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Maltodextrin
-
Is Caramelised Sugar safe in this food?
Bad
Caramelised Sugar is used here as colorant. Caramelised sugar is an artificial colorant that adds sweetness but raises concerns about processed ingredients.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: Caramelised Sugar
-
Is Dextrose safe in this food?
Bad
Dextrose is used here as sweetener. Dextrose is a simple sugar that contributes to sweetness but can negatively impact blood sugar levels.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Dextrose
-
Is Colour Beetroot Red safe in this food?
Bad
Colour Beetroot Red is used here as colorant. Beetroot red is a natural colorant but can still raise concerns about the use of additives in processed foods.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: Colour (Beetroot Red)
-
Is Black Pepper Extract safe in this food?
Medium
Black Pepper Extract is used here as flavor. Black pepper extract enhances flavor but may be processed, raising concerns about quality and safety.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Black Pepper Extract
-
Is Ferric Diphosphate safe in this food?
Bad
Ferric Diphosphate is used here as additive. Ferric diphosphate is an additive that raises concerns about synthetic ingredients and their safety in food products.
Role in formula: additive
Original: Ferric Diphosphate
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this food?
Medium
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used as a preservative and flavor enhancer but is a processed ingredient with mixed safety perceptions.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid)
-
Is Zinc Oxide safe in this food?
Bad
Zinc Oxide is used here as additive. Zinc oxide is often used as a fortifying agent but raises concerns about synthetic additives in food products.
Role in formula: additive
Original: Zinc Oxide
-
Is Vitamin B12 safe in this food?
Good
Vitamin B12 is used here as additive. Vitamin B12 is added for nutritional fortification, supporting dietary needs, especially in vegan diets.
Role in formula: additive
Original: Vitamin B12
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: 3954357
More from this brand: Tesco 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.