Is Red Enchilada Sauce Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Market Pantry
Market Pantry's Red Enchilada Sauce is reviewed here as a sauce condiment. 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 Monosodium Glutamate.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes modified food starch and monosodium glutamate, which are processed ingredients that raise quality concerns. Natural flavor and sugar also contribute to the moderate rating due to their processed nature.
Main concern
Modified food starch is a processed thickener that may raise concerns about 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 tomato paste, providing a base of natural flavor and color.
- Includes dried red chile pepper, which adds authentic flavor to the sauce.
- Onion powder and garlic powder enhance the overall taste profile.
- Yeast extract contributes to umami flavor, enriching the sauce.
Concerns
- Modified food starch is a processed thickener that may raise concerns about quality.
- Monosodium glutamate is a flavor enhancer that can cause sensitivity in some individuals.
- Natural flavor is vague and may include synthetic components, raising transparency issues.
- Sugar is present, which can be a concern for those monitoring their intake.
Ingredients breakdown
Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this sauce condiment, not just listed as a raw label.
-
Is Water safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as the primary solvent in this sauce, providing the necessary liquid base for the other ingredients.
Role in formula: base
Original: water
-
Is Tomato Paste safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Tomato Paste is used here as base. Tomato paste is a concentrated form of tomatoes, providing rich flavor and color, contributing positively to the sauce's quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: tomato paste
-
Is Modified Food Starch safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Modified Food Starch is used here as thickener. Modified food starch is used as a thickening agent, but its processed nature raises concerns about the overall quality of the sauce.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: modified food starch
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is a natural preservative and acidulant that helps balance the flavor and extend shelf life without significant safety concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: citric acid
-
Is Dried Red Chile Pepper safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Dried Red Chile Pepper is used here as flavor. Dried red chile pepper adds authentic heat and flavor, enhancing the overall taste profile of the enchilada sauce.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: dried red chile pepper
-
Is Garlic Powder safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Garlic Powder is used here as flavor. Garlic powder provides a strong flavor component, contributing to the savory profile of the sauce without quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: garlic powder
-
Is Hydrolyzed Corn Protein safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Hydrolyzed Corn Protein is used here as flavor. Hydrolyzed corn protein is used for flavor enhancement but is a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: hydrolyzed corn protein
Read the full ingredient profile for Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
-
Is Monosodium Glutamate safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Monosodium Glutamate is used here as flavor. Monosodium glutamate is a flavor enhancer that can cause sensitivity in some individuals, raising concerns about its inclusion.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: monosodium glutamate
-
Is Natural Flavor safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavor is a vague term that may include various components, raising transparency issues regarding its exact composition.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural flavor
-
Is Onion Powder safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Onion Powder is used here as flavor. Onion powder adds depth and flavor to the sauce, contributing positively to its overall taste without quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: onion powder
-
Is Salt safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor but can raise health concerns if consumed in excess, impacting the overall perception of the sauce's quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
-
Is Soybean Oil safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Soybean Oil is used here as emulsifier. Soybean oil is used as an emulsifier, but its processed nature may raise concerns about the overall quality of the sauce.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: soybean oil
-
Is Spices safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Spices is used here as flavor. Spices contribute to the flavor complexity of the sauce, enhancing its overall taste profile without significant safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: spices
-
Is Sugar safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is included for flavor balance but raises concerns for those monitoring their sugar intake, impacting the sauce's overall quality.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Yeast Extract safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Yeast Extract is used here as flavor. Yeast extract adds umami flavor but is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns about the overall quality of the sauce.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: yeast extract
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: 3333480
More from this brand: Market Pantry products in Zerotox
Similar products: sauce_condiment 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.