Is Tomato Couscous Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Woolworths Select
Tomato Couscous is a food from Woolworths Select. 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 Sugar.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes several processed ingredients like sugar and preservatives, which raise quality concerns. The presence of semi-dried tomatoes and chickpeas adds some nutritional value but is offset by synthetic additives.
Main concern
Contains sugar and preservatives like sodium metabisulfite (E223), raising concerns about processed ingredients.
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 semi-dried tomatoes and chickpeas, providing some natural flavors and nutrients.
- Includes herbs and spices that enhance taste without artificial additives.
Concerns
- Contains sugar and preservatives like sodium metabisulfite (E223), raising concerns about processed ingredients.
- Animal-derived rennet in Parmesan cheese indicates the presence of animal products, affecting dietary choices.
Who should avoid this product?
This food 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 food so the page answers more than a simple label list.
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Is Couscous safe in this food?
Medium
Couscous is used here as base. Couscous is made from durum wheat semolina, providing carbohydrates but is a processed grain product.
Role in formula: base
Original: Couscous (36%) (Durum Wheat Semolina, Food Acid (Citric))
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Is Water safe in this food?
Good
Water is used here as solvent. Water serves as a solvent in the dressing, essential for mixing ingredients.
Role in formula: solvent
Original: Water
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Is Red Wine Vinegar safe in this food?
Good
Red Wine Vinegar is used here as flavor. Red wine vinegar adds acidity and flavor to the dressing, contributing to taste without synthetic additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Red Wine Vinegar
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Is Canola Oil safe in this food?
Medium
Canola Oil is used here as emulsifier. Canola oil is used for its emulsifying properties in the dressing but is a refined oil with mixed health implications.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: Canola Oil
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Is Sugar safe in this food?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is added for sweetness in the dressing, raising concerns about excessive sugar intake.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sugar
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Is Olive Oil safe in this food?
Good
Olive Oil is used here as emulsifier. Olive oil is a healthier fat option, providing flavor and potential health benefits.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: Olive Oil
-
Is Mustard safe in this food?
Medium
Mustard is used here as flavor. Mustard adds flavor and complexity to the dressing but may contain additives like vinegar and salt.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Mustard (Water, Mustard Seeds, Vinegar, Salt, Sugar, Tumeric, Corinder, Pimento, Paprika)
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Is Salt safe in this food?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor but excessive consumption can lead to health issues.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Salt
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Is Herbs And Spices safe in this food?
Good
Herbs And Spices is used here as flavor. Herbs and spices contribute natural flavors and potential health benefits without synthetic additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Herbs and Spices
-
Is Vegetable Gums safe in this food?
Medium
Vegetable Gums is used here as thickener. Vegetable gums like guar and xanthan are used as thickeners but can raise concerns about processed ingredients.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Vegetable Gums (Guar, Xanthan)
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Is Semi Dried Tomatoes safe in this food?
Good
Semi Dried Tomatoes is used here as base. Semi-dried tomatoes provide natural flavor and nutrients, enhancing the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: base
Original: Semi Dried Tomatoes (12%)(Semi Dried tomatoes, Garlic, Canola Oil, Herbs)
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Is Garlic safe in this food?
Good
Garlic is used here as flavor. Garlic adds flavor and potential health benefits, contributing positively to the product's profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Garlic
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Is Chickpeas safe in this food?
Good
Chickpeas is used here as base. Chickpeas provide protein and fiber, enhancing the nutritional value of the product.
Role in formula: base
Original: Chickpeas (Chickpeas, Water, Salt)
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Is Parmesan Cheese safe in this food?
Medium
Parmesan Cheese is used here as flavor. Parmesan cheese adds flavor but contains animal-derived rennet and preservatives, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Parmesan Cheese (8%) (Milk, Salt, Cultures, Enzyme (Animal derived Rennet), Preservative (200))
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Is Parsley safe in this food?
Good
Parsley is used here as flavor. Parsley adds freshness and flavor, contributing positively to the overall quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Parsley
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Is Spring Onion safe in this food?
Good
Spring Onion is used here as flavor. Spring onion provides a fresh flavor and additional nutrients, enhancing the product's profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Spring Onion
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: 4251516
More from this brand: Woolworths Select products in Zerotox
Similar products: food in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: gluten , milk
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.