Is Ready Rice Cheddar Broccoli Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Uncle Ben's Ready Rice
Ready Rice Cheddar Broccoli is a food from Uncle Ben's Ready Rice. 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 Modified Tapioca Starch, Palm Oil, Corn Syrup Solids.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes several processed ingredients like modified tapioca starch and corn syrup solids, which raise quality concerns. The presence of palm oil and natural flavors also indicates a less favorable profile.
Main concern
Modified tapioca starch and corn syrup solids are processed ingredients that may raise quality concerns.
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 broccoli, providing some vegetable content that adds nutritional value.
- Includes cheddar cheese powder, which contributes flavor and a source of calcium.
- Uses parboiled rice, which retains more nutrients compared to regular white rice.
- Contains natural extracts like turmeric and annatto for color, avoiding synthetic dyes.
Concerns
- Modified tapioca starch and corn syrup solids are processed ingredients that may raise quality concerns.
- Palm oil is present, which is often linked to environmental issues and health concerns.
- Natural flavor includes pork gelatin, which may not be suitable for all dietary preferences.
- Contains several additives like mono and diglycerides, which may indicate a highly processed product.
Who should avoid this product?
This food may not be the best fit for:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- users trying to avoid sulfates
- 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 Water safe in this food?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as the primary solvent in this product, essential for cooking the rice and pasta.
Role in formula: base
Original: Water
-
Is Parboiled Long Grain Rice safe in this food?
Good
Parboiled Long Grain Rice is used here as base. Parboiled rice retains more nutrients than regular white rice, making it a better choice for a staple.
Role in formula: base
Original: parboiled long grain rice
Read the full ingredient profile for Parboiled Long Grain Rice
-
Is Broccoli safe in this food?
Good
Broccoli is used here as natural_extract. Broccoli adds nutritional value, providing vitamins and minerals, contributing positively to the product's profile.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: broccoli
-
Is Vermicelli Pasta safe in this food?
Medium
Vermicelli Pasta is used here as base. Vermicelli pasta is made from durum wheat semolina, which is a refined grain, raising some concerns about fiber content.
Role in formula: base
Original: vermicelli pasta (durum wheat semolina, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
-
Is Canola Oil safe in this food?
Medium
Canola Oil is used here as base. Canola oil is a common cooking oil, but its processing and potential for GMOs may raise some quality concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: canola oil
-
Is Modified Tapioca Starch safe in this food?
Bad
Modified Tapioca Starch is used here as thickener. Modified tapioca starch is a processed ingredient used for thickening, which may raise concerns about its health implications.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: modified tapioca starch
Read the full ingredient profile for Modified Tapioca Starch
-
Is Salt safe in this food?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor but should be consumed in moderation; its presence is common in prepared foods.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
-
Is Corn Maltodextrin safe in this food?
Medium
Corn Maltodextrin is used here as thickener. Corn maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate used for texture, which may not provide significant nutritional benefits.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: corn maltodextrin
-
Is Buttermilk safe in this food?
Good
Buttermilk is used here as flavor. Buttermilk adds flavor and some nutritional value, contributing positively to the overall profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: buttermilk*
-
Is Palm Oil safe in this food?
Bad
Palm Oil is used here as base. Palm oil is often criticized for its environmental impact and health concerns, raising quality issues.
Role in formula: base
Original: palm oil
-
Is Whey safe in this food?
Good
Whey is used here as base. Whey is a dairy byproduct that adds protein and flavor, contributing positively to the product's profile.
Role in formula: base
Original: whey*
-
Is Reduced Lactose Whey safe in this food?
Good
Reduced Lactose Whey is used here as base. Reduced lactose whey is suitable for those with lactose intolerance, adding protein without the lactose content.
Role in formula: base
Original: reduced lactose whey*
-
Is Corn Syrup Solids safe in this food?
Bad
Corn Syrup Solids is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup solids are a processed sweetener that can contribute to excessive sugar intake, raising health concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: corn syrup solids
-
Is Natural Flavor safe in this food?
Medium
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavor can be derived from various sources, but its exact composition is often unclear, raising transparency issues.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural flavor (includes pork gelatin)
-
Is Sunflower Oil safe in this food?
Medium
Sunflower Oil is used here as base. Sunflower oil is a common cooking oil, but its processing and omega-6 fatty acid content may raise health concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: sunflower oil
-
Is Cheddar Cheese Powder safe in this food?
Good
Cheddar Cheese Powder is used here as flavor. Cheddar cheese powder adds flavor and some nutritional value, contributing positively to the product's profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: cheddar / blue / parmesan / romano cheese powder (cultured milk, salt, enzymes)
-
Is Guar Gum safe in this food?
Medium
Guar Gum is used here as thickener. Guar gum is a thickening agent derived from guar beans, which is generally safe but can cause digestive issues in some.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: guar gum
-
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 high in sodium, raising concerns about salt intake.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: yeast extract
-
Is Xanthan Gum safe in this food?
Medium
Xanthan Gum is used here as thickener. Xanthan gum is a thickening agent that is generally safe but can cause digestive issues in some individuals.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: xanthan gum
-
Is Onion safe in this food?
Good
Onion is used here as flavor. Onion adds flavor and some nutritional value, contributing positively to the overall profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: onion*
-
Is Mono And Diglycerides safe in this food?
Bad
Mono And Diglycerides is used here as emulsifier. Mono and diglycerides are often derived from partially hydrogenated oils, raising concerns about trans fats and health.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: mono and diglycerides
-
Is Spice safe in this food?
Good
Spice is used here as flavor. Spices enhance flavor and can provide some health benefits, contributing positively to the product's profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: spice
-
Is Turmeric Extract safe in this food?
Good
Turmeric Extract is used here as colorant. Turmeric extract is a natural colorant that may also offer some health benefits, contributing positively to the profile.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: turmeric extract (color)
-
Is Annatto Extract safe in this food?
Good
Annatto Extract is used here as colorant. Annatto extract is a natural colorant derived from seeds, generally considered safe and adds color without synthetic dyes.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: annatto extract (color)
-
Is L Arginine safe in this food?
Medium
L Arginine is used here as other. L-arginine is an amino acid that may have various functions in the body, but its role in this product is unclear.
Role in formula: other
Original: l-arginine
-
Is Iron Phosphate safe in this food?
Medium
Iron Phosphate is used here as enrichment. Iron phosphate is used for enrichment, providing iron but may not be as bioavailable as other forms.
Role in formula: enrichment
Original: iron phosphate
-
Is Niacinamide safe in this food?
Medium
Niacinamide is used here as enrichment. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 used for enrichment, contributing to the nutritional profile but may not be significant.
Role in formula: enrichment
Original: niacinamide
-
Is Thiamine Mononitrate safe in this food?
Medium
Thiamine Mononitrate is used here as enrichment. Thiamine mononitrate is a synthetic form of vitamin B1 used for enrichment, contributing to the nutritional profile.
Role in formula: enrichment
Original: thiamine mononitrate
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Is Folic Acid safe in this food?
Medium
Folic Acid is used here as enrichment. Folic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B9 used for enrichment, contributing to the nutritional profile.
Role in formula: enrichment
Original: folic 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: 3238044
More from this brand: Uncle Ben's Ready Rice products in Zerotox
Similar products: food in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: milk , wheat
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.