Is Pumpkin Spice Cake Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Lidl
Pumpkin Spice Cake is a snack from Lidl. 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 Palm Fat, Glucose Syrup, Emulsifiers.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes several processed ingredients like glucose syrup and palm fat, which raise quality concerns. The presence of artificial emulsifiers and thickeners further impacts the overall safety assessment.
Main concern
High levels of processed ingredients like glucose syrup and palm fat raise concerns about 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 pumpkin (7%), which adds natural flavor and moisture to the cake.
- Includes natural spices (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg) that enhance flavor without artificial additives.
- Uses glycerol as a humectant, which helps retain moisture in baked goods.
- Eggs from free-range hens contribute to a more ethical sourcing of ingredients.
Concerns
- High levels of processed ingredients like glucose syrup and palm fat raise concerns about overall quality.
- Presence of artificial emulsifiers and thickeners like polysorbate 60 and xanthan gum may indicate a highly processed product.
- Contains skimmed milk powder, which may not be suitable for lactose-intolerant individuals.
- Potential traces of nuts and soy could pose allergen risks for sensitive consumers.
Who should avoid this product?
This snack 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 snack so the page answers more than a simple label list.
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Is Sugar safe in this snack?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is used to sweeten the cake, but its high level raises concerns about excessive sweetness and potential health impacts.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sucre
-
Is Wheat Flour safe in this snack?
Medium
Wheat Flour is used here as base. Wheat flour serves as the primary structure-building ingredient, but it is a refined grain that lacks fiber compared to whole grains.
Role in formula: base
Original: farine de blé
-
Is Egg safe in this snack?
Good
Egg is used here as base. Eggs provide structure and moisture to the cake, sourced from free-range hens, which is a positive aspect for ethical consumption.
Role in formula: base
Original: œuf*
-
Is Rapeseed Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Rapeseed Oil is used here as base. Rapeseed oil is used for moisture and texture, but it is a processed oil that may raise concerns about quality compared to unrefined oils.
Role in formula: base
Original: huile de colza
-
Is Pumpkin safe in this snack?
Good
Pumpkin is used here as base. Pumpkin adds natural flavor and moisture, contributing positively to the cake's overall quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: citrouille
-
Is Palm Fat safe in this snack?
Bad
Palm Fat is used here as base. Palm fat is a highly processed ingredient associated with environmental concerns and health risks due to its saturated fat content.
Role in formula: base
Original: graisse de palme
-
Is Hazelnut safe in this snack?
Good
Hazelnut is used here as base. Hazelnuts add flavor and texture, providing a source of healthy fats and nutrients.
Role in formula: base
Original: noisette
-
Is Glycerol safe in this snack?
Medium
Glycerol is used here as humectant. Glycerol is used to retain moisture in the cake, but it is a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: humectant
Original: humectant: glycérol
-
Is Rice Flour safe in this snack?
Medium
Rice Flour is used here as base. Rice flour is used for texture but lacks the nutritional benefits of whole grains, raising concerns about overall quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: farine d riz
-
Is Water safe in this snack?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water is essential for the cake's moisture content, contributing positively to the overall texture.
Role in formula: base
Original: eau
-
Is Glucose Syrup safe in this snack?
Bad
Glucose Syrup is used here as sweetener. Glucose syrup is a highly processed sweetener that can contribute to excessive sugar intake and raises health concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sirop de glucose
-
Is Baking Powders safe in this snack?
Medium
Baking Powders is used here as leavening agent. Baking powders are used for leavening but can contain sodium compounds that may raise health concerns in high amounts.
Role in formula: leavening agent
Original: poudres à lever : diphosphates, carbonates de sodium
-
Is Emulsifiers safe in this snack?
Bad
Emulsifiers is used here as emulsifier. Emulsifiers like mono- and diglycerides are synthetic additives that may raise concerns about processed ingredients.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: émulsifiants: mono - et diglycérides d'acides gras
-
Is Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate safe in this snack?
Bad
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate is used here as emulsifier. Sodium stearoyl lactylate is a synthetic emulsifier that raises concerns about the use of artificial additives in food products.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: stéaroyl-2-lactylate de sodium
Read the full ingredient profile for Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
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Is Polysorbate 60 safe in this snack?
Bad
Polysorbate 60 is used here as emulsifier. Polysorbate 60 is a synthetic emulsifier that may raise concerns about the health implications of artificial additives.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: polysorbate 60
-
Is Sucrose Esters safe in this snack?
Bad
Sucrose Esters is used here as emulsifier. Sucrose esters are synthetic emulsifiers that may indicate a highly processed product, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: sucroesters d'acides gras
-
Is Lecithins safe in this snack?
Medium
Lecithins is used here as emulsifier. Lecithins are used as emulsifiers but can be derived from soy, raising concerns for those with soy allergies.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: lécithines
-
Is Glucose Fructose Syrup safe in this snack?
Bad
Glucose Fructose Syrup is used here as sweetener. Glucose-fructose syrup is a highly processed sweetener that can contribute to excessive sugar intake and raises health concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sirop de glucose-fructose
-
Is Sodium Acetates safe in this snack?
Medium
Sodium Acetates is used here as acidulant. Sodium acetates are used to regulate acidity but are synthetic additives that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: correcteur d'acidité : acétates de sodium
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Is Citric Acid safe in this snack?
Medium
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used to enhance flavor and preserve freshness, but it is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: acidifiant: acide citrique
-
Is Salt safe in this snack?
Good
Salt is used here as base. Salt is used to enhance flavor and balance sweetness, contributing positively to the overall taste.
Role in formula: base
Original: sel
-
Is Xanthan Gum safe in this snack?
Bad
Xanthan Gum is used here as thickener. Xanthan gum is a synthetic thickener that may raise concerns about the use of artificial additives in food products.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: épaississant: gomme xanthane
-
Is Natural Flavor safe in this snack?
Medium
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavor is used to enhance taste but can be vague in terms of specific ingredients, raising transparency concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: arôme naturel
-
Is Spices safe in this snack?
Good
Spices is used here as flavor. Spices like cinnamon and ginger add natural flavor and aroma, enhancing the overall sensory experience of the cake.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: 0,1% épices (cannelle, gingembre, noix de muscade, piment, clou de girofle)
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Is Plant And Fruit Concentrates safe in this snack?
Medium
Plant And Fruit Concentrates is used here as colorant. Plant and fruit concentrates are used for coloring but may not provide significant nutritional benefits.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: concentrés de plantes et de fruits à propriété colorante
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Is Skimmed Milk Powder safe in this snack?
Medium
Skimmed Milk Powder is used here as base. Skimmed milk powder adds creaminess but is a processed dairy ingredient that may not be suitable for lactose-intolerant individuals.
Role in formula: base
Original: lait en poudre écrémé
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: 3845655
More from this brand: Lidl products in Zerotox
Similar products: snack in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: milk , hazelnut , soy
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.