Is Stubb's Sticky Sweet Bar B Q Flavored Cheese Curls Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Herr's
Stubb's Sticky Sweet Bar B Q Flavored Cheese Curls is a snack from Herr's. It has a Zerotox safety score of 45/100, which means it shows multiple flagged ingredients that may matter for sensitive users.
The main ingredients worth reviewing are Monosodium Glutamate, Yellow 5, Yellow 6.
45 / 100
Why score is 45
The composition includes several synthetic additives like monosodium glutamate and artificial colors (Yellow 5, Yellow 6), raising significant quality concerns. The presence of refined sugars and processed oils further detracts from the overall safety assessment.
Main concern
Monosodium glutamate is a synthetic flavor enhancer that raises safety concerns.
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 cheese blend with cheddar, providing some flavor depth.
- Includes spices and natural flavors that enhance the overall taste profile.
Concerns
- Monosodium glutamate is a synthetic flavor enhancer that raises safety concerns.
- Artificial colors (Yellow 5, Yellow 6) are linked to potential health risks.
- Refined sugars and fructose contribute to a highly processed composition.
- Presence of palm oil raises concerns about sustainability and health.
Who should avoid this product?
This snack 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 snack so the page answers more than a simple label list.
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Is Corn Meal safe in this snack?
Good
Corn Meal is used here as base. Corn meal serves as the primary ingredient, providing a base for texture and flavor. It is a whole grain, contributing some nutritional value.
Role in formula: base
Original: corn meal
-
Is Vegetable Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Vegetable Oil is used here as base. Vegetable oil is used for frying, contributing to the product's texture. However, the inclusion of palm oil raises sustainability concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: vegetable oil (one or more of the following: corn, cottonseed, palm, sunflower)
-
Is Maltodextrin safe in this snack?
Medium
Maltodextrin is used here as emulsifier. Maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate used for texture and stability. While it is generally recognized as safe, it is a refined ingredient.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: maltodextrin
-
Is Whey safe in this snack?
Good
Whey is used here as base. Whey is a dairy byproduct that adds protein and flavor. It is a natural ingredient, contributing positively to the product's profile.
Role in formula: base
Original: whey
-
Is Cheddar Cheese safe in this snack?
Good
Cheddar Cheese is used here as base. Cheddar cheese adds flavor and richness. It is a natural dairy product, enhancing the overall taste and nutritional value.
Role in formula: base
Original: cheddar cheese [pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes]
-
Is Monosodium Glutamate safe in this snack?
Bad
Monosodium Glutamate is used here as flavor. Monosodium glutamate is a synthetic flavor enhancer that can cause adverse reactions in sensitive individuals, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: monosodium glutamate
-
Is Sodium Phosphate safe in this snack?
Medium
Sodium Phosphate is used here as emulsifier. Sodium phosphate is used for texture and stability but can raise concerns about excessive sodium intake.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: sodium phosphate
-
Is Butter safe in this snack?
Good
Butter is used here as base. Butter adds richness and flavor. It is a natural ingredient, contributing positively to the overall taste profile.
Role in formula: base
Original: butter [cream, salt]
-
Is Natural Flavor safe in this snack?
Medium
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavor is used to enhance taste but can be vague in terms of specific ingredients, raising some transparency concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural flavor
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this snack?
Good
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is a natural preservative and flavor enhancer, contributing to the product's tanginess without significant safety concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: citric acid
-
Is Lactic Acid safe in this snack?
Good
Lactic Acid is used here as acidulant. Lactic acid is a natural acid that can enhance flavor and act as a preservative, generally considered safe.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: lactic acid
-
Is Yellow 5 safe in this snack?
Bad
Yellow 5 is used here as colorant. Yellow 5 is an artificial color linked to potential health risks, including allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: yellow 5
-
Is Yellow 6 safe in this snack?
Bad
Yellow 6 is used here as colorant. Yellow 6 is another artificial color associated with health concerns, including hyperactivity in children.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: yellow 6
-
Is Spices safe in this snack?
Good
Spices is used here as flavor. Spices contribute to flavor complexity and are natural ingredients, enhancing the overall taste without safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: spices
-
Is Brown Sugar safe in this snack?
Medium
Brown Sugar is used here as sweetener. Brown sugar adds sweetness and flavor but is a refined sugar, raising concerns about excessive sugar intake.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: brown sugar
-
Is Sugar safe in this snack?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a refined sweetener that contributes to high caloric content and potential health risks associated with excessive consumption.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Molasses safe in this snack?
Medium
Molasses is used here as sweetener. Molasses adds sweetness and flavor but is still a form of sugar, contributing to the overall sugar content.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: molasses
-
Is Fructose safe in this snack?
Bad
Fructose is used here as sweetener. Fructose is a simple sugar that can contribute to health issues when consumed in excess, raising concerns about its presence.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: fructose
-
Is Tomato Powder safe in this snack?
Good
Tomato Powder is used here as flavor. Tomato powder adds natural flavor and color, contributing positively to the product's taste profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: tomato powder
-
Is Onion safe in this snack?
Good
Onion is used here as flavor. Onion is a natural ingredient that enhances flavor and adds depth to the overall taste of the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: onion
-
Is Paprika safe in this snack?
Good
Paprika is used here as flavor. Paprika adds color and flavor, being a natural ingredient that enhances the overall taste without safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: paprika
-
Is Corn Maltodextrin safe in this snack?
Medium
Corn Maltodextrin is used here as thickener. Corn maltodextrin is a processed ingredient used for texture but raises concerns about its refined nature.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: corn maltodextrin
-
Is Garlic safe in this snack?
Good
Garlic is used here as flavor. Garlic is a natural flavor enhancer that adds depth and complexity to the product's taste profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: garlic
-
Is Extractives Of Paprika safe in this snack?
Good
Extractives Of Paprika is used here as colorant. Extractives of paprika are natural colorants that enhance the product's appearance without safety concerns.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: extractives of paprika
-
Is Salt safe in this snack?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor but raises concerns about sodium intake, especially in processed foods.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
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: 3281482
More from this brand: Herr's 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.