Is Sticky Sweet BBQ Sauce Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Stubb's
Stubb's's Sticky Sweet BBQ 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 composition includes tomato puree and apple cider vinegar, but also contains brown sugar and sugar, raising concerns about high sugar content. Natural flavor and preservatives are present, indicating moderate processing.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes tomato puree and apple cider vinegar, but also contains brown sugar and sugar, raising concerns about high sugar content. Natural flavor and preservatives are present, indicating moderate processing.
Main concern
High sugar content from brown sugar and sugar raises concerns about excessive sweetness.
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
- Tomato puree provides a base rich in flavor and is a natural ingredient.
- Apple cider vinegar adds acidity and depth, enhancing the overall taste profile.
Concerns
- High sugar content from brown sugar and sugar raises concerns about excessive sweetness.
- Natural flavor may include additives, which can complicate ingredient transparency.
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 Tomato Puree safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Tomato Puree is used here as base. Tomato puree serves as the primary ingredient, providing a rich flavor and natural sweetness. Its presence supports the sauce's overall quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: TOMATO PUREE (WATER, TOMATO PASTE)
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Is Brown Sugar safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Brown Sugar is used here as sweetener. Brown sugar adds sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor, but its high content raises concerns about sugar intake in this sauce.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: BROWN SUGAR
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Is Sugar safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar contributes additional sweetness, which may overpower other flavors and raises concerns about overall sugar content.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: SUGAR
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Is Apple Cider Vinegar safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Apple Cider Vinegar is used here as acidulant. Apple cider vinegar adds acidity and balances the sweetness, enhancing the flavor complexity of the sauce.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
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Is Distilled Vinegar safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Distilled Vinegar is used here as acidulant. Distilled vinegar provides additional acidity, which helps preserve the sauce and enhances flavor without adding calories.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: DISTILLED VINEGAR
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Is Molasses safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Molasses is used here as sweetener. Molasses adds a rich flavor and color, but also contributes to the overall sugar content, raising concerns about sweetness.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: MOLASSES
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Is Corn Starch safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Corn Starch is used here as thickener. Corn starch is used as a thickening agent to improve texture, but it is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns for some consumers.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: CORN STARCH
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Is Salt safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor and acts as a preservative, contributing to the overall taste without raising significant health concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: SALT
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Is Spices safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Spices is used here as flavor. Spices, including paprika, add complexity and depth to the flavor profile, enhancing the overall sensory experience of the sauce.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: SPICES (INCLUDING PAPRIKA)
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Is Onion safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Onion is used here as flavor. Onion contributes a savory flavor and aroma, enhancing the overall taste of the sauce without raising health concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: ONION
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Is Garlic safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Garlic is used here as flavor. Garlic adds a robust flavor and aroma, enhancing the overall taste profile of the sauce, though present in small amounts.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: GARLIC
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Is Natural Flavor safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavor, including hickory smoke, enhances the sauce's flavor but may include undisclosed additives, raising transparency concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: NATURAL FLAVOR (INCLUDING HICKORY SMOKE)
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: 3417311
More from this brand: Stubb's 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.