Is Sweet Heat BBQ Sauce Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Stubb's
Stubb's's Sweet Heat 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 molasses as primary ingredients, but also contains sugar and natural flavors, raising concerns about added sugars and synthetic components.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes tomato puree and molasses as primary ingredients, but also contains sugar and natural flavors, raising concerns about added sugars and synthetic components.
Main concern
Presence of added sugars like sugar and brown 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 natural base, contributing to flavor and texture.
- Molasses adds depth and a unique sweetness, enhancing the overall taste profile.
Concerns
- Presence of added sugars like sugar and brown sugar raises concerns about excessive sweetness.
- Natural flavor may include undisclosed ingredients, which can be problematic for some consumers.
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 essential nutrients. Its natural composition supports quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
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Is Molasses safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Molasses is used here as sweetener. Molasses is a natural sweetener that adds complexity and depth to the sauce, contributing beneficial minerals.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: molasses
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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, balancing sweetness and enhancing flavor complexity. It is a natural ingredient with minimal processing.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: apple cider vinegar
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Is Sugar safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is an added sweetener that increases sweetness but raises concerns about excessive sugar intake in sauces.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
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Is Brown Sugar safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Brown Sugar is used here as sweetener. Brown sugar contributes additional sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor, but it is still an added sugar.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: brown sugar
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Is Chipotle Chile Sauce safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Chipotle Chile Sauce is used here as flavor. Chipotle chile sauce adds a smoky heat to the sauce, enhancing flavor complexity with natural ingredients.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: chipotle chile sauce (chile peppers, chipotle, natural flavor, salt and citric acid)
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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, providing desired texture but is a processed ingredient.
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 balances sweetness, playing a crucial role in seasoning the sauce.
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 contribute to the overall flavor profile, adding complexity and depth to the sauce.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: spices (including chili pepper)
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Is Garlic safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Garlic is used here as flavor. Garlic adds a savory note to the sauce, enhancing its flavor profile with natural ingredients.
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 can include various undisclosed components, raising concerns about transparency in ingredient sourcing.
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: 3417310
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.