Is Spicy Cajun-Style Lentils And Red Kidney Beans Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Merchant Gourmet
This page reviews Spicy Cajun-Style Lentils And Red Kidney Beans by Merchant Gourmet as a food. Its current score is 60/100, suggesting that it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: Sugar, Natural Flavouring.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes cooked green lentils and red kidney beans, but also contains sugar and natural flavoring, which raises quality concerns. The presence of preservatives like citric acid and sulphites further complicates the safety profile.
Main concern
Sugar is included, which raises concerns about unnecessary sweetness and potential health implications.
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
- Cooked green lentils provide a good source of plant-based protein and fiber, contributing positively to the overall composition.
- Tomato purée adds natural flavor and acidity, enhancing the taste while providing some nutritional benefits.
Concerns
- Sugar is included, which raises concerns about unnecessary sweetness and potential health implications.
- Natural flavoring is present, which can be ambiguous and may include synthetic components, affecting transparency in ingredient quality.
Ingredients breakdown
The ingredient notes below are written to explain what each ingredient does in this food and why it matters.
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Is Water safe in this food?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as a base for the cooked lentils, ensuring proper hydration and texture in the final product.
Role in formula: base
Original: Water
-
Is Green Lentils safe in this food?
Good
Green Lentils is used here as base. Green lentils are a nutritious legume, providing protein and fiber, which are beneficial for a balanced diet.
Role in formula: base
Original: Green Lentils
-
Is Tomato safe in this food?
Good
Tomato is used here as base. Tomato contributes natural flavor and acidity, enhancing the overall taste profile of the dish.
Role in formula: base
Original: Tomato
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this food?
Medium
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid acts as an acidity regulator, helping to preserve the product but may raise concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Acidity Regulator: Citric Acid
-
Is Rehydrated Red Kidney Beans safe in this food?
Good
Rehydrated Red Kidney Beans is used here as base. Red kidney beans are a good source of protein and fiber, adding nutritional value to the product.
Role in formula: base
Original: Rehydrated Red Kidney Beans
-
Is Onion safe in this food?
Good
Onion is used here as base. Onion adds flavor and depth to the dish, contributing positively to the overall taste and aroma.
Role in formula: base
Original: Onion
-
Is Durum Wheat safe in this food?
Medium
Durum Wheat is used here as base. Cooked durum wheat provides texture but may raise concerns for those with gluten sensitivities.
Role in formula: base
Original: Cooked Durum Wheat
-
Is Olive Oil safe in this food?
Good
Olive Oil is used here as base. Olive oil is a healthy fat that enhances flavor and provides beneficial monounsaturated fats.
Role in formula: base
Original: Olive Oil
-
Is Sherry Vinegar safe in this food?
Medium
Sherry Vinegar is used here as acidulant. Sherry vinegar adds acidity and flavor but contains sulphites, which may be a concern for sensitive individuals.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Sherry Vinegar (Sulphites)
-
Is Garlic safe in this food?
Good
Garlic is used here as base. Garlic enhances flavor and has potential health benefits, contributing positively to the dish.
Role in formula: base
Original: Garlic
-
Is Sugar safe in this food?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is added for sweetness, which can be unnecessary and may contribute to health concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sugar
-
Is Salt safe in this food?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor but excessive consumption can lead to health issues, raising concerns about its presence.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Salt
-
Is Spices safe in this food?
Good
Spices is used here as flavor. Spices contribute to the flavor profile, enhancing the overall taste without adding synthetic components.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Spices
-
Is Jalapeno Seasoning safe in this food?
Medium
Jalapeno Seasoning is used here as flavor. Jalapeño seasoning adds heat and flavor but may contain processed ingredients, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Jalapeño Seasoning (0.6%) (Rice Flour, Jalapeño Chilli Pepper, Natural Flavourings, Sunflower Oil)
-
Is Rosemary safe in this food?
Good
Rosemary is used here as natural_extract. Rosemary is a natural herb that adds flavor and may have antioxidant properties, enhancing the product's quality.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Rosemary (0.3%)
-
Is Smoked Paprika safe in this food?
Good
Smoked Paprika is used here as flavor. Smoked paprika adds a distinct flavor and color, contributing positively to the overall sensory experience.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Smoked Paprika (0.3%)
-
Is Natural Flavouring safe in this food?
Bad
Natural Flavouring is used here as flavor. Natural flavouring can be ambiguous and may include synthetic components, raising concerns about ingredient transparency.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Natural Flavouring
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: 3938963
More from this brand: Merchant Gourmet products in Zerotox
Similar products: food 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.