Is The Original Ranch Secret Sauce Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Hidden Valley
The Original Ranch Secret Sauce is a sauce condiment from Hidden Valley. It has a Zerotox safety score of 60/100, which means it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The main ingredients worth reviewing are Phosphoric Acid, Monosodium Glutamate, Caramel Color.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The ingredient analysis reveals several processed components, including sugar and corn syrup, which raise quality concerns. Preservatives like sorbic acid and EDTA indicate a highly processed composition.
Main concern
High sugar content from sugar and corn syrup raises health 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 buttermilk, which adds a creamy texture and flavor.
- Includes spices that enhance the overall taste profile.
- Natural flavors contribute to a more authentic taste experience.
- Vinegar acts as a flavor enhancer and preservative.
Concerns
- High sugar content from sugar and corn syrup raises health concerns.
- Presence of multiple preservatives like sorbic acid and EDTA indicates processing.
- Monosodium glutamate is included, which may be problematic for some consumers.
- Caramel color is an artificial colorant that may raise quality concerns.
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 Vegetable Oil Soybean And Or Canola safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Vegetable Oil Soybean And Or Canola is used here as base. Vegetable oil serves as a base for the sauce, providing texture. However, it is a refined oil, which raises concerns about processing.
Role in formula: base
Original: vegetable oil (soybean and/or canola)
Read the full ingredient profile for Vegetable Oil Soybean And Or Canola
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Is Tomato Puree safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Tomato Puree is used here as base. Tomato puree adds flavor and color to the sauce. It is a natural ingredient that contributes positively to the overall quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: tomato puree
-
Is Buttermilk safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Buttermilk is used here as base. Buttermilk provides a creamy texture and tangy flavor, enhancing the sauce's overall profile. It is a natural dairy ingredient.
Role in formula: base
Original: buttermilk
-
Is Sugar safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is used to balance flavors but raises concerns due to its high content, contributing to potential health issues.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Salt safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor and acts as a preservative. It is a common ingredient that is generally safe in moderation.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
-
Is Spices safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Spices is used here as flavor. Spices add complexity and depth to the flavor profile, contributing positively to the sauce's overall taste.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: spices
-
Is Vinegar safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Vinegar is used here as acidulant. Vinegar provides acidity and acts as a preservative, enhancing flavor while raising safety concerns about acidity levels.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: vinegar
-
Is Egg Yolk safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Egg Yolk is used here as emulsifier. Egg yolk acts as an emulsifier, helping to blend ingredients smoothly. It is a natural ingredient that adds richness.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: egg yolk
-
Is Garlic safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Garlic is used here as flavor. Garlic adds a distinct flavor to the sauce. It is a natural ingredient that enhances the overall taste profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: garlic*
-
Is Onion safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Onion is used here as flavor. Onion contributes to the flavor complexity of the sauce. It is a natural ingredient that is generally safe.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: onion*
-
Is Molasses safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Molasses is used here as sweetener. Molasses adds sweetness and depth of flavor but is a processed ingredient that raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: molasses
-
Is Tamarind safe in this sauce condiment?
Good
Tamarind is used here as flavor. Tamarind adds a unique tangy flavor to the sauce, enhancing its complexity. It is a natural ingredient.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: tamarind
-
Is Phosphoric Acid safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Phosphoric Acid is used here as acidulant. Phosphoric acid is a synthetic acidulant used for flavor and preservation, raising concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: phosphoric acid
-
Is Xanthan Gum safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Xanthan Gum is used here as thickener. Xanthan gum is a thickening agent that improves texture but is a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: xanthan gum
-
Is Modified Food Starch safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Modified Food Starch is used here as thickener. Modified food starch is used for texture improvement but is a processed ingredient that raises quality concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: modified food starch
-
Is Monosodium Glutamate safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Monosodium Glutamate is used here as flavor. Monosodium glutamate is an artificial flavor enhancer that may cause sensitivity in some individuals, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: monosodium glutamate
-
Is Corn Syrup safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup is a sweetener that raises health concerns due to its high sugar content and processing.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: corn syrup
-
Is Caramel Color safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Caramel Color is used here as colorant. Caramel color is an artificial colorant that may raise quality concerns due to its synthetic nature.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: caramel color
-
Is Disodium Phosphate safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Disodium Phosphate is used here as emulsifier. Disodium phosphate is a synthetic emulsifier that raises concerns about synthetic additives in the product.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: disodium phosphate
-
Is Sorbic Acid safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Sorbic Acid is used here as preservative. Sorbic acid is a synthetic preservative used to extend shelf life, raising concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: sorbic acid
-
Is Calcium Disodium Edta safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Calcium Disodium Edta is used here as preservative. Calcium disodium EDTA is a synthetic preservative that raises concerns about synthetic additives and potential health effects.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: calcium disodium edta
-
Is Nisin Preparation safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Nisin Preparation is used here as preservative. Nisin preparation is a natural preservative derived from bacteria, which is generally considered safe but may raise concerns for some.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: nisin preparation
-
Is Disodium Inosinate safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Disodium Inosinate is used here as flavor. Disodium inosinate is a synthetic flavor enhancer that raises concerns about synthetic additives and potential sensitivities.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: disodium inosinate
-
Is Disodium Guanylate safe in this sauce condiment?
Bad
Disodium Guanylate is used here as flavor. Disodium guanylate is a synthetic flavor enhancer that may cause sensitivities in some individuals, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: disodium guanylate
-
Is Natural Flavors safe in this sauce condiment?
Medium
Natural Flavors is used here as flavor. Natural flavors are derived from natural sources but can be processed, raising some quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural flavors
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: 3269296
More from this brand: Hidden Valley products in Zerotox
Similar products: sauce_condiment in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: milk , egg
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.