Is Rice Bowl Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Old El Paso
Old El Paso's Rice Bowl is reviewed here as a food. 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 Sugar, Caramelised Sugar, Fructose.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes several processed ingredients like sugar and corn starch, which raise quality concerns. The presence of additives like caramelized sugar and glucose syrup further indicates a processed nature.
Main concern
High sugar content from multiple sources like sugar, fructose, and glucose syrup raises 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 cooked spiced rice and pulled pork, providing a mix of flavors and textures.
- Includes natural ingredients like garlic purée and spices, contributing to flavor.
- Tomato passata and peppers add some vegetable content, enhancing the overall profile.
- Red wine vinegar and lime juice provide acidity, balancing the dish.
Concerns
- High sugar content from multiple sources like sugar, fructose, and glucose syrup raises concerns.
- Presence of corn starch and caramelized sugar indicates processing, which may affect quality.
- Use of smoked salt and spirit vinegar may introduce synthetic flavors.
- Acidity regulators like malic acid and acetic acid suggest additional processing.
Who should avoid this product?
This formula may not suit:
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this food, not just listed as a raw label.
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Is Water safe in this food?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as a base ingredient, essential for cooking and hydration in the dish.
Role in formula: base
Original: Water
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Is Long Grain Rice safe in this food?
Good
Long Grain Rice is used here as base. Long grain rice is a staple carbohydrate providing energy and texture to the dish.
Role in formula: base
Original: Long Grain Rice
-
Is Rapeseed Oil safe in this food?
Medium
Rapeseed Oil is used here as emulsifier. Rapeseed oil is used for cooking and flavor, but its refined nature raises some concerns about processing.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: Rapeseed Oil
-
Is Garlic Puree safe in this food?
Good
Garlic Puree is used here as flavor. Garlic purée adds flavor and aroma, contributing positively to the dish's overall taste profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Garlic Purée
-
Is Spices safe in this food?
Good
Spices is used here as flavor. A blend of spices enhances flavor complexity, providing aromatic qualities to the dish.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Spices
-
Is Tomato Powder safe in this food?
Medium
Tomato Powder is used here as flavor. Tomato powder adds flavor and color, but its processing may reduce some nutritional value.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Tomato Powder
-
Is Paprika Extract safe in this food?
Medium
Paprika Extract is used here as colorant. Paprika extract is used for color enhancement, but it is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: Colour (Paprika Extract)
-
Is Salt safe in this food?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt is essential for flavor enhancement, though excessive use can be a concern.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Salt
-
Is Pork safe in this food?
Good
Pork is used here as base. Pork provides protein and flavor, contributing to the dish's heartiness.
Role in formula: base
Original: Pork
-
Is Sugar safe in this food?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is added for sweetness but raises concerns due to its high content and potential health implications.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sugar
-
Is Spirit Vinegar safe in this food?
Medium
Spirit Vinegar is used here as flavor. Spirit vinegar adds acidity and flavor, but its processing may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Spirit Vinegar
-
Is Tomato Puree safe in this food?
Good
Tomato Puree is used here as flavor. Tomato purée contributes to flavor and moisture, enhancing the overall dish.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Tomato Purée
-
Is Black Pepper safe in this food?
Good
Black Pepper is used here as flavor. Black pepper adds spiciness and depth of flavor, enhancing the dish's complexity.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Black Pepper
-
Is Corn Starch safe in this food?
Medium
Corn Starch is used here as thickener. Corn starch is used as a thickening agent, but its processed nature raises some concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Corn Starch
-
Is Smoked Salt safe in this food?
Medium
Smoked Salt is used here as flavor. Smoked salt adds a unique flavor profile, but its processing may introduce synthetic elements.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Smoked Salt
-
Is Onion Powder safe in this food?
Good
Onion Powder is used here as flavor. Onion powder enhances flavor and aroma, contributing positively to the dish's profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Onion Powder
-
Is Caramelised Sugar safe in this food?
Bad
Caramelised Sugar is used here as sweetener. Caramelised sugar is a processed sweetener that raises concerns about added sugars in the dish.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Caramelised Sugar
-
Is Mustard Seed safe in this food?
Good
Mustard Seed is used here as flavor. Mustard seed adds a unique flavor and complexity, enhancing the overall taste.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Mustard Seed
-
Is Garlic Powder safe in this food?
Good
Garlic Powder is used here as flavor. Garlic powder contributes to flavor and aroma, enhancing the dish's overall profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Garlic Powder
-
Is Lime Juice safe in this food?
Good
Lime Juice is used here as flavor. Lime juice adds acidity and freshness, balancing the flavors in the dish.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Lime Juice
-
Is Fructose safe in this food?
Bad
Fructose is used here as sweetener. Fructose is a sweetener that raises concerns due to its high content and potential health implications.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Fructose
-
Is Molasses safe in this food?
Medium
Molasses is used here as sweetener. Molasses adds sweetness and flavor but is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Molasses
-
Is White Wine Vinegar safe in this food?
Medium
White Wine Vinegar is used here as flavor. White wine vinegar adds acidity and flavor, but its processing may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: White Wine Vinegar
-
Is Smoked Water safe in this food?
Medium
Smoked Water is used here as flavor. Smoked water adds a unique flavor profile, but its processing may introduce synthetic elements.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Smoked Water
-
Is Caramelised Sugar Powder safe in this food?
Bad
Caramelised Sugar Powder is used here as sweetener. Caramelised sugar powder is a processed sweetener that raises concerns about added sugars in the dish.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Caramelised Sugar Powder
Read the full ingredient profile for Caramelised Sugar Powder
-
Is Yeast Powder safe in this food?
Medium
Yeast Powder is used here as flavor. Yeast powder is used for flavor enhancement, but its processing may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Yeast Powder
-
Is Glucose Syrup safe in this food?
Bad
Glucose Syrup is used here as sweetener. Glucose syrup is a processed sweetener that raises concerns due to its high content and potential health implications.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Glucose Syrup
-
Is Oregano safe in this food?
Good
Oregano is used here as flavor. Oregano adds flavor and aroma, contributing positively to the dish's overall profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Oregano
-
Is Tamarind Paste safe in this food?
Good
Tamarind Paste is used here as flavor. Tamarind paste adds a unique tangy flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Tamarind Paste
-
Is Concentrated Red Pepper Juice safe in this food?
Good
Concentrated Red Pepper Juice is used here as flavor. Concentrated red pepper juice adds flavor and color, enhancing the dish's overall profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Concentrated Red Pepper Juice
-
Is Chipotle Chilli safe in this food?
Good
Chipotle Chilli is used here as flavor. Chipotle chilli adds smokiness and heat, contributing to the dish's flavor complexity.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Chipotle Chilli
-
Is Ginger Puree safe in this food?
Good
Ginger Puree is used here as flavor. Ginger purée adds warmth and spice, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the dish.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Ginger Purée
-
Is Jalapeno Chilli safe in this food?
Good
Jalapeno Chilli is used here as flavor. Jalapeño chilli adds heat and flavor, contributing to the dish's spiciness.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Jalapeño Chilli
-
Is Onion Extract safe in this food?
Medium
Onion Extract is used here as flavor. Onion extract enhances flavor but may raise concerns due to its processing.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Onion Extract
-
Is Garlic Extract safe in this food?
Medium
Garlic Extract is used here as flavor. Garlic extract adds flavor but may raise concerns due to its processing.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Garlic Extract
-
Is Acidity Regulators safe in this food?
Bad
Acidity Regulators is used here as acidulant. Acidity regulators like malic acid and acetic acid indicate processing, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Acidity Regulators (Malic Acid, Acetic 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: 3951367
More from this brand: Old El Paso products in Zerotox
Similar products: food in Zerotox database
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