Is The Bakery At Asda Mega Madeira Party Cake Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Asda
This page reviews The Bakery At Asda Mega Madeira Party Cake by Asda as a dessert. Its current score is 60/100, suggesting that it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: Sugar, Palm Oil, Palm Kernel Oil.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes several processed ingredients like sugar and palm oil, alongside preservatives such as potassium sorbate. These factors indicate a moderate quality and safety concern.
Main concern
High sugar content from multiple sources, raising 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
- Contains fruit concentrates like plum and raspberry, which can add natural flavor.
- Includes fortified wheat flour, providing added nutrients like iron and niacin.
- Uses natural colorants such as anthocyanins and carotenes, which are derived from plants.
Concerns
- High sugar content from multiple sources, raising concerns about excessive sweetness.
- Presence of palm oil and palm kernel oil, which are linked to environmental issues.
- Includes potassium sorbate as a preservative, which may raise concerns about synthetic additives.
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 dessert and why it matters.
-
Is Sugar safe in this dessert?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a highly processed sweetener that contributes to the overall sweetness of the cake but raises concerns about excessive consumption.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Fortified Wheat Flour safe in this dessert?
Medium
Fortified Wheat Flour is used here as base. Fortified wheat flour provides essential nutrients like iron and niacin, but it is a processed ingredient that may not be suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals.
Role in formula: base
Original: fortified wheat flour [wheat flour, calcium carbonate, iron, niacin (b3), thiamin (b1)]
-
Is Rapeseed Oil safe in this dessert?
Medium
Rapeseed Oil is used here as base. Rapeseed oil is a common cooking oil that is often refined, raising some concerns about processing but is generally considered a healthier fat option.
Role in formula: base
Original: rapeseed oil
-
Is Pasteurised Whole Egg safe in this dessert?
Good
Pasteurised Whole Egg is used here as base. Pasteurized whole egg is a natural ingredient that provides moisture and richness to the cake, contributing positively to its texture.
Role in formula: base
Original: pasteurised whole egg
-
Is Plum And Raspberry Jam safe in this dessert?
Medium
Plum And Raspberry Jam is used here as flavor. The jam adds flavor and moisture but contains glucose-fructose syrup, which is a processed sweetener that raises quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: plum and raspberry jam (8%) [glucose - fructose syrup, plum concentrate, seedless raspberry concentrate, gelling agent (pectins), acidity regulators (citric acid, sodium citrates), colour (anthocyanins), flavouring]
-
Is Palm Oil safe in this dessert?
Bad
Palm Oil is used here as base. Palm oil is a highly processed fat linked to environmental concerns, including deforestation and habitat destruction.
Role in formula: base
Original: palm oil
-
Is Water safe in this dessert?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water is a necessary ingredient for hydration and texture in baked goods, posing no quality concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: water
-
Is Humectant Glycerol safe in this dessert?
Medium
Humectant Glycerol is used here as humectant. Glycerol is used to retain moisture in the cake, but it is a synthetic ingredient that may raise concerns for some consumers.
Role in formula: humectant
Original: humectant (glycerol)
-
Is Palm Kernel Oil safe in this dessert?
Bad
Palm Kernel Oil is used here as base. Palm kernel oil is a processed fat that raises similar environmental concerns as palm oil, impacting sustainability.
Role in formula: base
Original: palm kernel oil
-
Is Milk Chocolate safe in this dessert?
Medium
Milk Chocolate is used here as flavor. Milk chocolate adds flavor and richness but contains sugar and dairy, which may not be suitable for all consumers.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: milk chocolate [sugar, cocoa mass, cocoa butter, dried whole milk]
-
Is Dried Glucose Syrup safe in this dessert?
Bad
Dried Glucose Syrup is used here as sweetener. Dried glucose syrup is a highly processed sweetener that contributes to the overall sugar content, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: dried glucose syrup
-
Is Skimmed Milk Powder safe in this dessert?
Medium
Skimmed Milk Powder is used here as base. Skimmed milk powder provides dairy flavor and moisture but is a processed ingredient that may not suit lactose-intolerant individuals.
Role in formula: base
Original: skimmed milk powder
-
Is Raising Agents safe in this dessert?
Medium
Raising Agents is used here as leavening agent. Raising agents like diphosphates and sodium carbonates are used to create texture but are synthetic and may raise concerns.
Role in formula: leavening agent
Original: raising agents (diphosphates, sodium carbonates)
-
Is Maize Starch safe in this dessert?
Medium
Maize Starch is used here as thickener. Maize starch is a common thickening agent that is processed but generally considered safe for consumption.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: maize starch
-
Is Shea Oil safe in this dessert?
Medium
Shea Oil is used here as base. Shea oil is a natural fat that can enhance texture but is often refined, raising some quality concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: shea oil
-
Is Emulsifiers safe in this dessert?
Medium
Emulsifiers is used here as emulsifier. Emulsifiers like sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate help blend ingredients but are processed and may raise concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: emulsifiers (sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate, mono - and diglycerides of fatty acids, sunflower lecithins)
-
Is Palm Stearin safe in this dessert?
Bad
Palm Stearin is used here as base. Palm stearin is a processed fat derived from palm oil, raising similar environmental concerns as other palm-derived ingredients.
Role in formula: base
Original: palm stearin
-
Is Preservative Potassium Sorbate safe in this dessert?
Bad
Preservative Potassium Sorbate is used here as preservative. Potassium sorbate is a synthetic preservative used to extend shelf life but raises concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: preservative (potassium sorbate)
Read the full ingredient profile for Preservative Potassium Sorbate
-
Is Wheat Starch safe in this dessert?
Medium
Wheat Starch is used here as thickener. Wheat starch is a processed thickening agent that may not be suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: wheat starch
-
Is Rice Flour safe in this dessert?
Medium
Rice Flour is used here as base. Rice flour is a gluten-free alternative that adds texture but is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: base
Original: rice flour
-
Is Flavourings safe in this dessert?
Bad
Flavourings is used here as flavor. Flavourings are often synthetic and can raise concerns about artificial additives in food products.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: flavourings
-
Is Coconut Oil safe in this dessert?
Medium
Coconut Oil is used here as base. Coconut oil is a natural fat that can enhance flavor and texture but is high in saturated fat.
Role in formula: base
Original: coconut oil
-
Is Rice Starch safe in this dessert?
Medium
Rice Starch is used here as thickener. Rice starch is a common thickening agent that is processed but generally considered safe for consumption.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: rice starch
-
Is Colours safe in this dessert?
Medium
Colours is used here as colorant. Colors like carotenes and curcumin are derived from natural sources but may still raise concerns about processing.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: colours (carotenes, curcumin, anthocyanins, lutein, paprika extract)
-
Is Plant Fruit And Vegetable Concentrates safe in this dessert?
Good
Plant Fruit And Vegetable Concentrates is used here as natural_extract. These concentrates provide natural color and flavor, enhancing the cake's appeal without synthetic additives.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: plant, fruit and vegetable concentrates [beetroot, radish, blackcurrant, grape juice, lemon, algae, apple]
-
Is Acidity Regulator Citric Acid safe in this dessert?
Medium
Acidity Regulator Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used to balance flavor and preserve freshness but is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: acidity regulator (citric acid)
Read the full ingredient profile for Acidity Regulator Citric Acid
-
Is Glazing Agents safe in this dessert?
Medium
Glazing Agents is used here as glazing agent. Glazing agents like beeswax and shellac enhance appearance but are processed and may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: glazing agent
Original: glazing agents (beeswax white and yellow, acacia gum, shellac, carnauba wax)
-
Is Glucose Syrup safe in this dessert?
Bad
Glucose Syrup is used here as sweetener. Glucose syrup is a highly processed sweetener that contributes to the overall sugar content, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: glucose syrup
-
Is Thickener Carboxy Methyl Cellulose safe in this dessert?
Bad
Thickener Carboxy Methyl Cellulose is used here as thickener. Carboxy methyl cellulose is a synthetic thickener that raises concerns about artificial additives in food products.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: thickener (carboxy methyl cellulose)
-
Is Safflower Extract safe in this dessert?
Medium
Safflower Extract is used here as natural_extract. Safflower extract is used for color and flavor but is often processed, raising some quality concerns.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: safflower extract
-
Is Barley Malt Extract safe in this dessert?
Medium
Barley Malt Extract is used here as flavor. Barley malt extract adds flavor but is a processed ingredient that may not be suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: barley malt extract
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: 3364772
More from this brand: Asda products in Zerotox
Similar products: dessert in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: gluten
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.