Is Shepherds Pie Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Sainsbury's Taste The Difference
Shepherds Pie is a food from Sainsbury's Taste The Difference. 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 Plain Caramel.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes several processed ingredients like fortified wheat flour and double cream, which raise quality concerns. The presence of additives like sugar and gelling agent pectin also indicates a less clean profile.
Main concern
Fortified wheat flour and double cream are processed ingredients 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 lamb and vegetables like carrot and swede, providing a source of protein and nutrients.
- Includes herbs like rosemary and thyme, which can enhance flavor naturally.
Concerns
- Fortified wheat flour and double cream are processed ingredients that may raise concerns about quality.
- Presence of sugar in multiple forms, including in lamb stock and Worcester sauce, indicates added sweetness.
Who should avoid this product?
This food may not be the best fit for:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- 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 Potato safe in this food?
Good
Potato is used here as base. Potato serves as the primary ingredient, providing carbohydrates and a creamy texture when mashed. Its natural composition supports overall quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: Potato
-
Is Lamb safe in this food?
Good
Lamb is used here as base. Lamb is a rich source of protein and essential nutrients, contributing to the dish's heartiness and flavor.
Role in formula: base
Original: Lamb
-
Is Onion safe in this food?
Good
Onion is used here as flavor. Onion adds depth of flavor and aroma to the dish, enhancing the overall taste profile with its natural sweetness.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Onion
-
Is Water safe in this food?
Good
Water is used here as solvent. Water is used as a base for the stock and helps in cooking the ingredients, ensuring proper moisture content.
Role in formula: solvent
Original: Water
-
Is Carrot safe in this food?
Good
Carrot is used here as base. Carrot contributes natural sweetness and color, along with vitamins and minerals, enhancing the nutritional profile.
Role in formula: base
Original: Carrot
-
Is Swede safe in this food?
Good
Swede is used here as base. Swede adds a unique flavor and texture, along with additional nutrients, complementing the other vegetables.
Role in formula: base
Original: Swede
-
Is Fortified Wheat Flour safe in this food?
Medium
Fortified Wheat Flour is used here as thickener. Fortified wheat flour is used for thickening and structure but is a processed ingredient that raises concerns about quality.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Fortified Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin)
-
Is Extra Mature Cheddar Cheese safe in this food?
Good
Extra Mature Cheddar Cheese is used here as flavor. Extra mature cheddar cheese adds richness and depth of flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Extra Mature Cheddar Cheese (2.5%) (Cows' Milk)
Read the full ingredient profile for Extra Mature Cheddar Cheese
-
Is Lamb Stock safe in this food?
Medium
Lamb Stock is used here as flavor. Lamb stock provides a savory base for the dish but contains additives like yeast extract and salt, which may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Lamb Stock (Water, Yeast Extract, Lamb Juices, Lamb Fat, Salt, Sugar, Tomato Purée, Onion, Carrot, Garlic Concentrate, Rosemary, Thyme)
-
Is Double Cream safe in this food?
Medium
Double Cream is used here as emulsifier. Double cream adds richness and creaminess but is a high-fat processed ingredient that may raise health concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: Double Cream (Cows' Milk)
-
Is Butter safe in this food?
Medium
Butter is used here as emulsifier. Butter enhances flavor and texture but is also a high-fat ingredient that may raise concerns about overall fat content.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: Butter (Cows' Milk)
-
Is Cornflour safe in this food?
Medium
Cornflour is used here as thickener. Cornflour is used as a thickening agent but is a processed ingredient that may not contribute positively to the overall quality.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Cornflour
-
Is Worcester Sauce safe in this food?
Medium
Worcester Sauce is used here as flavor. Worcester sauce adds complexity to the flavor but contains sugar and vinegar, which may raise concerns about added sweetness.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Worcester Sauce (Water, Spirit Vinegar, Sugar, Tamarind Extract, Onion, Garlic, Ginger, Concentrated Lemon Juice, Clove, Chilli)
-
Is Redcurrant Jelly safe in this food?
Medium
Redcurrant Jelly is used here as sweetener. Redcurrant jelly adds sweetness and flavor but contains added sugars, which may raise concerns about overall sugar content.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Redcurrant Jelly (Brown Sugar, Water, Redcurrant Juice from Concentrate, Lemon Juice from Concentrate, Gelling Agent: Pectin)
-
Is Salt safe in this food?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor but excessive use can raise health concerns, particularly in processed foods.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Salt
-
Is Garlic Puree safe in this food?
Good
Garlic Puree is used here as flavor. Garlic purée adds a robust flavor and aroma, enhancing the overall taste profile of the dish.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Garlic Purée
-
Is Tomato Puree safe in this food?
Good
Tomato Puree is used here as flavor. Tomato purée contributes acidity and depth of flavor, enhancing the overall taste and nutritional profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Tomato Purée
-
Is Plain Caramel safe in this food?
Bad
Plain Caramel is used here as colorant. Plain caramel is an artificial colorant used for visual appeal but raises concerns about synthetic additives in food.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: Colour: Plain Caramel
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Is Thyme safe in this food?
Good
Thyme is used here as natural_extract. Thyme is an herb that adds flavor and aroma, contributing positively to the dish's overall taste profile.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Thyme
-
Is Yeast safe in this food?
Medium
Yeast is used here as flavor. Yeast is used for flavor enhancement but can be a processed ingredient that raises quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Yeast
-
Is Olive Oil safe in this food?
Good
Olive Oil is used here as emulsifier. Olive oil is a healthy fat that adds richness and flavor, contributing positively to the overall quality of the dish.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: Olive Oil
-
Is Black Pepper safe in this food?
Good
Black Pepper is used here as flavor. Black pepper enhances flavor and adds a mild heat, contributing positively to the overall taste profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Black Pepper
-
Is Rosemary safe in this food?
Good
Rosemary is used here as natural_extract. Rosemary is an herb that adds flavor and aroma, enhancing the overall taste profile of the dish.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Rosemary
-
Is White Pepper safe in this food?
Good
White Pepper is used here as flavor. White pepper adds a subtle heat and flavor, contributing positively to the overall taste of the dish.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: White Pepper
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: 3229514
More from this brand: Sainsbury's Taste The Difference 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.