Is Plant Chef Vegan Spicy Katsu Hot Dogs Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Tesco Plant Chef
Plant Chef Vegan Spicy Katsu Hot Dogs is one of the food products analyzed by Zerotox for Tesco Plant Chef. The product scores 60/100 in Zerotox, meaning it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The sections below explain why ingredients like Methyl Cellulose, Sodium Alginate, Maltodextrin affect the overall evaluation.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes several processed ingredients like methyl cellulose and sodium alginate, which raise concerns about synthetic additives. The presence of sugar and maltodextrin also indicates a processed nature.
Main concern
Methyl cellulose and sodium alginate are synthetic stabilizers, raising concerns about processed ingredients.
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 pea protein (10%), providing a plant-based protein source that supports a vegan diet.
- Includes spices and natural flavorings, enhancing taste without relying solely on artificial additives.
Concerns
- Methyl cellulose and sodium alginate are synthetic stabilizers, raising concerns about processed ingredients.
- Presence of sugar and maltodextrin indicates added sugars, which can detract from overall quality.
Ingredients breakdown
Instead of a flat list, this section explains each ingredient in the context of this food.
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Is Water safe in this food?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as a base ingredient, providing moisture and aiding in the overall texture of the hot dogs.
Role in formula: base
Original: Water
-
Is Rapeseed Oil safe in this food?
Medium
Rapeseed Oil is used here as base. Rapeseed oil is a refined oil used for moisture and texture, but its processing raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: Rapeseed Oil
-
Is Pea Protein safe in this food?
Good
Pea Protein is used here as base. Pea protein is a plant-based protein source that contributes to the nutritional profile of the product.
Role in formula: base
Original: Pea Protein (10%)
-
Is Methyl Cellulose safe in this food?
Bad
Methyl Cellulose is used here as stabilizer. Methyl cellulose is a synthetic stabilizer used for texture, raising concerns about artificial additives in the product.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: Stabilisers (Methyl Cellulose)
-
Is Sodium Alginate safe in this food?
Bad
Sodium Alginate is used here as stabilizer. Sodium alginate is a synthetic thickener derived from seaweed, used for texture but raises concerns about processed ingredients.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: Sodium Alginate
-
Is Rice Flour safe in this food?
Medium
Rice Flour is used here as base. Rice flour is a gluten-free flour used for texture, but its processing can affect overall quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: Rice Flour
-
Is Spices safe in this food?
Good
Spices is used here as flavor. Spices enhance flavor naturally, contributing positively to the overall taste profile without artificial additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Spices
-
Is Spring Onion safe in this food?
Good
Spring Onion is used here as flavor. Spring onion adds a fresh flavor and nutritional value, enhancing the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Spring Onion
-
Is Chickpea Flour safe in this food?
Good
Chickpea Flour is used here as base. Chickpea flour provides additional protein and fiber, contributing positively to the nutritional profile.
Role in formula: base
Original: Chickpea Flour
-
Is Flavourings safe in this food?
Medium
Flavourings is used here as flavor. Flavourings can be natural or artificial; their unspecified nature raises some concerns about quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Flavourings
-
Is Demerara Sugar safe in this food?
Medium
Demerara Sugar is used here as sweetener. Demerara sugar is a less refined sugar, used for sweetness but contributes to added sugars in the product.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Demerara Sugar
-
Is Potato Fibre safe in this food?
Good
Potato Fibre is used here as base. Potato fibre adds texture and fiber, contributing positively to the product's overall quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: Potato Fibre
-
Is Coriander safe in this food?
Good
Coriander is used here as flavor. Coriander adds a distinct flavor and nutritional benefits, enhancing the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Coriander
-
Is Ginger Puree safe in this food?
Good
Ginger Puree is used here as flavor. Ginger purée provides flavor and potential health benefits, contributing positively to the product's profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Ginger Purée
-
Is Potato Protein safe in this food?
Good
Potato Protein is used here as base. Potato protein adds to the protein content, enhancing the nutritional profile of the hot dogs.
Role in formula: base
Original: Potato Protein
-
Is Citrus Fibre safe in this food?
Good
Citrus Fibre is used here as base. Citrus fibre adds texture and may provide some dietary fiber, contributing positively to the product's quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: Citrus Fibre
-
Is Pea Fibre safe in this food?
Good
Pea Fibre is used here as base. Pea fibre contributes to the texture and fiber content, enhancing the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: base
Original: Pea Fibre
-
Is Apple Fibre safe in this food?
Good
Apple Fibre is used here as base. Apple fibre adds texture and dietary fiber, contributing positively to the product's nutritional profile.
Role in formula: base
Original: Apple Fibre
-
Is Salt safe in this food?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor but should be consumed in moderation; its presence raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Salt
-
Is Sea Salt safe in this food?
Medium
Sea Salt is used here as flavor. Sea salt is a natural salt that enhances flavor but contributes to sodium content, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Sea Salt
-
Is Garlic Puree safe in this food?
Good
Garlic Puree is used here as flavor. Garlic purée adds flavor and potential health benefits, enhancing the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Garlic Purée
-
Is Onion Powder safe in this food?
Good
Onion Powder is used here as flavor. Onion powder provides flavor and potential health benefits, contributing positively to the product's profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Onion Powder
-
Is Yeast Extract safe in this food?
Medium
Yeast Extract is used here as flavor. Yeast extract is used for flavor enhancement but can be a processed ingredient, raising some quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Yeast Extract
-
Is Garlic Powder safe in this food?
Good
Garlic Powder is used here as flavor. Garlic powder adds flavor and potential health benefits, enhancing the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Garlic Powder
-
Is Maltodextrin safe in this food?
Bad
Maltodextrin is used here as thickener. Maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate used for texture, raising concerns about its quality and processing.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Maltodextrin
-
Is Sugar safe in this food?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is added for sweetness, contributing to the overall sugar content and raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sugar
-
Is Cornflour safe in this food?
Medium
Cornflour is used here as thickener. Cornflour is used for texture but is a processed ingredient, which may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Cornflour
-
Is Spirit Vinegar safe in this food?
Medium
Spirit Vinegar is used here as acidulant. Spirit vinegar adds acidity and flavor but is a processed ingredient, raising some quality concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Spirit Vinegar
-
Is Coriander Leaf safe in this food?
Good
Coriander Leaf is used here as flavor. Coriander leaf adds fresh flavor and nutritional benefits, enhancing the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Coriander Leaf
-
Is Colour Beetroot Red safe in this food?
Bad
Colour Beetroot Red is used here as colorant. Beetroot red is an artificial colorant used for visual appeal, raising concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: Colour (Beetroot Red)
-
Is Soya Bean safe in this food?
Good
Soya Bean is used here as base. Soya bean provides protein and contributes to the nutritional profile of the product.
Role in formula: base
Original: Soya Bean
-
Is Dextrose safe in this food?
Medium
Dextrose is used here as sweetener. Dextrose is a simple sugar used for sweetness, contributing to the overall sugar content and raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Dextrose
-
Is Chilli Powder safe in this food?
Good
Chilli Powder is used here as flavor. Chilli powder adds heat and flavor, enhancing the overall taste profile of the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Chilli Powder
-
Is Turmeric Extract safe in this food?
Good
Turmeric Extract is used here as colorant. Turmeric extract is used for color and potential health benefits, contributing positively to the product's profile.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: Turmeric Extract
-
Is Paprika Extract safe in this food?
Good
Paprika Extract is used here as colorant. Paprika extract adds color and flavor, enhancing the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: Paprika Extract
-
Is Acidity Regulator Citric Acid safe in this food?
Medium
Acidity Regulator Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used to regulate acidity and enhance flavor, but its processing raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid)
Read the full ingredient profile for Acidity Regulator Citric Acid
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: 3954657
More from this brand: Tesco Plant Chef 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.