Is Thai Red Paste Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Waitrose
This page reviews Thai Red Paste by Waitrose as a sauce condiment. Its current score is 70/100, suggesting that it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The composition includes natural ingredients like lemongrass and galangal, but also contains sugar and modified tapioca starch, indicating a mix of quality and processing concerns.
70 / 100
Why score is 70
The composition includes natural ingredients like lemongrass and galangal, but also contains sugar and modified tapioca starch, indicating a mix of quality and processing concerns.
Main concern
Presence of sugar raises concerns about added sweetness, which may not align with all dietary preferences.
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
- High content of natural ingredients like lemongrass (22%) and galangal (11%) supports flavor authenticity.
- Inclusion of shrimp paste adds depth and umami, enhancing the overall taste profile.
Concerns
- Presence of sugar raises concerns about added sweetness, which may not align with all dietary preferences.
- Modified tapioca starch is a processed ingredient that may indicate lower quality compared to whole food alternatives.
Who should avoid this product?
You may want to be cautious with this product if you are:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
The ingredient notes below are written to explain what each ingredient does in this sauce condiment and why it matters.
-
Is Water safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as the primary solvent in this paste, ensuring proper consistency and texture.
Role in formula: base
Original: Water
-
Is Lemongrass safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Lemongrass is used here as natural_extract. Lemongrass provides a fresh, citrusy flavor, contributing to the authentic taste of Thai cuisine.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: lemongrass
-
Is Galangal safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Galangal is used here as natural_extract. Galangal adds a unique, aromatic flavor that is essential in Thai cooking, enhancing the product's authenticity.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: galangal
-
Is Onion safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Onion is used here as natural_extract. Onion contributes sweetness and depth of flavor, balancing the overall taste of the paste.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: onion
-
Is Nutri Garlic safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Nutri Garlic is used here as natural_extract. Nutri garlic enhances the flavor profile with its pungent taste, a staple in many Asian cuisines.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: NUTRI garlic
-
Is Rice Bran Oil safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Rice Bran Oil is used here as emulsifier. Rice bran oil is used for its mild flavor and high smoke point, but it is a refined oil, raising some quality concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: rice bran oil
-
Is Dried Red Chilli safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Dried Red Chilli is used here as flavor. Dried red chilli adds heat and color, essential for authentic Thai flavor profiles.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: dried red chilli
-
Is Sugar safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is added for sweetness, which may not align with all dietary preferences and raises processing concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Red Chilli safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Red Chilli is used here as flavor. Red chilli contributes additional heat and flavor complexity, enhancing the overall taste experience.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: red chilli
-
Is Shrimp Paste safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Shrimp Paste is used here as flavor. Shrimp paste adds umami and depth, but may pose allergen concerns for those with shellfish allergies.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: shrimp paste (2%) (shrimp (crustacean), salt)
-
Is Salt safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor and acts as a preservative, but excessive consumption can be a concern.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
-
Is Makrut Lime Peel safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Makrut Lime Peel is used here as natural_extract. Makrut lime peel provides a distinct citrus aroma, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the paste.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: makrut lime peel
-
Is Coriander Powder safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Coriander Powder is used here as flavor. Coriander powder adds a warm, spicy note, contributing to the complexity of flavors in the paste.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: coriander powder
-
Is Makrut Lime Leaf safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Makrut Lime Leaf is used here as natural_extract. Makrut lime leaf imparts a unique citrus flavor, essential for authentic Thai dishes.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: makrut lime leaf
-
Is Modified Tapioca Starch safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Modified Tapioca Starch is used here as thickener. Modified tapioca starch is used for texture but raises concerns due to its processed nature.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: modified tapioca starch
Read the full ingredient profile for Modified Tapioca Starch
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid acts as an acidity regulator, enhancing flavor but is a synthetic ingredient.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: acidity regulator (citric 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: 3243648
More from this brand: Waitrose products in Zerotox
Similar products: sauce_condiment in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: shellfish
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.