Is Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream Sandwich Crackers Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Munchies
Munchies's Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream Sandwich Crackers is reviewed here as a snack. 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 Natural And Artificial Flavors, Monosodium Glutamate, Sodium Metabisulphite.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The ingredient composition includes enriched wheat flour and various oils, but also contains several synthetic additives like TBHQ and MSG, raising quality concerns.
Main concern
TBHQ is a synthetic preservative used to maintain freshness, which raises concerns about the presence of artificial additives.
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
- Enriched wheat flour provides essential nutrients like niacin and iron, contributing positively to the overall composition.
- Cheddar cheese and sour cream add flavor and some nutritional value, enhancing the product's appeal.
Concerns
- TBHQ is a synthetic preservative used to maintain freshness, which raises concerns about the presence of artificial additives.
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is included as a flavor enhancer, which may cause sensitivity in some individuals.
Who should avoid this product?
This formula may not suit:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this snack, not just listed as a raw label.
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Is Enriched Wheat Flour safe in this snack?
Medium
Enriched Wheat Flour is used here as base. Enriched wheat flour serves as the primary ingredient, providing essential nutrients like niacin and iron, but is a processed form of wheat.
Role in formula: base
Original: ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMIN MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID)
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Is Vegetable Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Vegetable Oil is used here as base. Vegetable oil, a blend of palm and canola oil, is used for texture and moisture but raises concerns due to the presence of TBHQ, a synthetic preservative.
Role in formula: base
Original: VEGETABLE OIL (PALM AND CANOLA OIL [WITH TBHQ TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS])
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Is Corn Maltodextrin safe in this snack?
Medium
Corn Maltodextrin is used here as base. Corn maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate that serves as a thickener and filler, contributing to texture but lacking nutritional value.
Role in formula: base
Original: CORN MALTODEXTRIN
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Is Palm Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Palm Oil is used here as base. Palm oil is used for texture and stability but is controversial due to environmental concerns and the presence of TBHQ as a preservative.
Role in formula: base
Original: PALM OIL (WITH TBHQ TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS)
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Is Sugar safe in this snack?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is added for sweetness, but its presence raises concerns about excessive sugar consumption in processed snacks.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: SUGAR
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Is Skim Milk safe in this snack?
Good
Skim Milk is used here as base. Skim milk contributes to the product's dairy content, providing some protein and calcium without added fat.
Role in formula: base
Original: SKIM MILK
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Is Modified Food Starch safe in this snack?
Medium
Modified Food Starch is used here as thickener. Modified food starch is used as a thickening agent, but its processing raises questions about its naturalness and health implications.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: MODIFIED FOOD STARCH
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Is Cheddar Cheese safe in this snack?
Good
Cheddar Cheese is used here as base. Cheddar cheese adds flavor and some nutritional benefits, including calcium and protein, enhancing the overall quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: CHEDDAR CHEESE (MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES)
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Is Natural And Artificial Flavors safe in this snack?
Bad
Natural And Artificial Flavors is used here as flavor. The inclusion of both natural and artificial flavors raises concerns about the quality and safety of flavoring agents used in the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS
Read the full ingredient profile for Natural And Artificial Flavors
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Is Monosodium Glutamate safe in this snack?
Bad
Monosodium Glutamate is used here as flavor. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is used as a flavor enhancer, which may cause sensitivity in some individuals and raises quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE
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Is Sodium Metabisulphite safe in this snack?
Bad
Sodium Metabisulphite is used here as preservative. Sodium metabisulphite is a synthetic preservative that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: SODIUM METABISULPHITE
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: 2410462
More from this brand: Munchies products in Zerotox
Similar products: snack in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: milk
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.