Is Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Safe? Ingredient Analysis
President's Choice
Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto is a sauce condiment from President's Choice. It has a Zerotox safety score of 60/100, which means it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
This sun-dried tomato pesto contains several processed ingredients like sunflower oil and sugar, which raise quality concerns. The presence of unpasteurized cheeses adds complexity to the safety profile.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
This sun-dried tomato pesto contains several processed ingredients like sunflower oil and sugar, which raise quality concerns. The presence of unpasteurized cheeses adds complexity to the safety profile.
Main concern
Sunflower oil is a refined oil, raising concerns about processing and potential quality issues.
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 sun-dried tomatoes and basil, which are natural ingredients contributing to flavor.
- Includes Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano, adding depth and richness to the product.
- Extra virgin olive oil is present, known for its quality and potential health benefits.
- Lactic acid serves as a natural preservative, enhancing shelf life without synthetic additives.
Concerns
- Sunflower oil is a refined oil, raising concerns about processing and potential quality issues.
- Sugar is included, which can be a concern for those monitoring their intake of added sugars.
- The presence of lysozyme, derived from egg, may pose allergen concerns for sensitive individuals.
- Unpasteurized cheeses may carry risks related to foodborne pathogens, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Who should avoid this product?
This sauce condiment 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 sauce condiment so the page answers more than a simple label list.
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Is Sunflower Oil safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Sunflower Oil is used here as base. Sunflower oil is a refined oil used as a base in this pesto, which raises concerns about processing and quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: Sunflower oil
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Is Sun Dried Tomatoes safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Sun Dried Tomatoes is used here as natural_extract. Sun-dried tomatoes provide natural flavor and nutrients, contributing positively to the overall composition.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Sun-dried tomatoes (contains salt)
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Is Tomatoes safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Tomatoes is used here as natural_extract. Fresh tomatoes add moisture and flavor, enhancing the overall taste profile of the pesto.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Tomatoes (contains citric acid)
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Is Tomato Paste safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Tomato Paste is used here as base. Tomato paste is concentrated and adds depth of flavor, but its processing raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: Tomato paste
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Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is used here as base. Extra virgin olive oil is a high-quality oil known for its flavor and potential health benefits, enhancing the product's quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: Extra virgin olive oil
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Is Grana Padano Cheese safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Grana Padano Cheese is used here as flavor. Grana Padano cheese adds richness and flavor, but being unpasteurized raises safety concerns for some consumers.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Grana Padano P.D.O. cheese [unpasteurized milk, bacterial culture, salt, rennet, lysozyme (egg)]
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Is Basil safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Basil is used here as natural_extract. Basil is a natural herb that enhances flavor and aroma, contributing positively to the overall quality.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Basil
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Is Cashews safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Cashews is used here as base. Cashews add creaminess and texture, but being a tree nut, they may pose allergen concerns for some consumers.
Role in formula: base
Original: Cashews
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Is Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is used here as flavor. Parmigiano Reggiano cheese adds a complex flavor profile, but its unpasteurized nature raises safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Parmigiano Reggiano P.D.O. cheese (unpasteurized milk, bacterial culture, salt, rennet)
Read the full ingredient profile for Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese
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Is Sugar safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is added for sweetness, which can be a concern for those monitoring their sugar intake.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sugar
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Is Garlic safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Garlic is used here as flavor. Garlic adds a robust flavor and potential health benefits, contributing positively to the overall composition.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Garlic
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Is Sea Salt safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Sea Salt is used here as flavor. Sea salt enhances flavor and is a natural ingredient, contributing positively to the overall quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Sea salt
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Is Lactic Acid safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Lactic Acid is used here as preservative. Lactic acid acts as a natural preservative, enhancing shelf life without synthetic additives, but its processing raises some concerns.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: Lactic acid
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: 3243978
More from this brand: President's Choice products in Zerotox
Similar products: sauce_condiment in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: egg , tree_nut
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.