Is Salsa Sauce Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Old El Paso
Old El Paso's Salsa 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 Modified Corn Starch.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
This salsa sauce contains a mix of natural ingredients like tomatoes and onions, but also includes sugar and modified corn starch, raising some quality concerns.
Main concern
Includes sugar, which raises concerns about added sweeteners in a savory product.
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
- High tomato content (64%) provides a natural base, contributing to flavor and freshness.
- Contains onions (17%) and green peppers (11%), enhancing the sauce's taste profile with natural ingredients.
Concerns
- Includes sugar, which raises concerns about added sweeteners in a savory product.
- Modified corn starch is a processed ingredient that may indicate lower quality compared to whole food alternatives.
Ingredients breakdown
Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this sauce condiment, not just listed as a raw label.
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Is Diced Tomatoes safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Diced Tomatoes is used here as base. Diced tomatoes form the primary ingredient, providing natural flavor and nutrients. Their high content supports the sauce's freshness.
Role in formula: base
Original: Tomates en morceaux
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Is Onions safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Onions is used here as base. Onions add flavor and depth to the salsa, contributing to its overall taste and aroma. They are a natural ingredient.
Role in formula: base
Original: oignons
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Is Green Peppers safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Green Peppers is used here as base. Green peppers enhance the flavor profile and add a slight crunch, making the salsa more appealing and fresh.
Role in formula: base
Original: poivrons verts
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Is Tomato Concentrate safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Tomato Concentrate is used here as base. Tomato concentrate intensifies the tomato flavor but is a processed form, which may raise concerns about quality compared to fresh ingredients.
Role in formula: base
Original: concentré de tomates
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Is Table Salt safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Table Salt is used here as flavor. Table salt is used to enhance flavor, but excessive use can raise health concerns. Its presence is common in sauces.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: sel de cuisine
-
Is Vinegar safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Vinegar is used here as flavor. Vinegar adds acidity and tanginess, balancing the flavors in the salsa. It is a natural ingredient.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: vinaigre d'alcool
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Is Sugar safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is added to balance acidity but raises concerns about unnecessary sweetness in a savory product.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sucre
-
Is Concentrated Lemon Juice safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Concentrated Lemon Juice is used here as flavor. Concentrated lemon juice provides acidity and freshness, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the salsa.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: jus de citron concentré
Read the full ingredient profile for Concentrated Lemon Juice
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Is Chili Pepper safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Chili Pepper is used here as flavor. Chili pepper adds heat and depth to the salsa, contributing to its characteristic flavor. It is a natural ingredient.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: piment chili
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Is Garlic Powder safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Garlic Powder is used here as flavor. Garlic powder enhances the flavor profile, providing a savory note that complements the other ingredients.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: ail en poudre
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Is Natural Flavor safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavor is used to enhance taste but can be vague in terms of specific sources, raising some quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: arôme naturel
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Is Citric Acid safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used to adjust acidity levels, which is common in sauces, but its processed nature may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: correcteur d'acidité (acide citrique)
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Is Calcium Chloride safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Calcium Chloride is used here as stabilizer. Calcium chloride is used as a firming agent, which can indicate processing and may not align with a clean ingredient profile.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: affermissant (chlorure de calcium)
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Is Modified Corn Starch safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Modified Corn Starch is used here as thickener. Modified corn starch is a processed thickening agent that raises concerns about quality and the presence of additives.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: amidon de maïs modifié
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: 3369580
More from this brand: Old El Paso 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.