Is Venison Pâté Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference
This page reviews Venison Pâté by Sainsbury's Taste the Difference as a food. 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: Beetroot Red, Sodium Nitrite.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes sodium nitrite as a preservative and beetroot red as a colorant, indicating some synthetic additives that raise quality concerns. The presence of pork liver and venison suggests a meat-rich product.
Main concern
Sodium nitrite is a synthetic preservative that raises safety concerns due to its association with health risks.
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 British venison and pork liver, providing a rich flavor profile and quality meat sources.
- Includes natural ingredients like thyme and garlic purée, which enhance taste without synthetic additives.
Concerns
- Sodium nitrite is a synthetic preservative that raises safety concerns due to its association with health risks.
- Beetroot red is an artificial colorant, indicating the presence of synthetic additives in the product.
Who should avoid this product?
You may want to be cautious with this product if you are:
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
The ingredient notes below are written to explain what each ingredient does in this food and why it matters.
-
Is British Pork Liver safe in this food?
Good
British Pork Liver is used here as base. British pork liver serves as the primary ingredient, providing a rich source of flavor and nutrients. Its quality is generally high due to local sourcing.
Role in formula: base
Original: British Pork Liver
-
Is Water safe in this food?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water is used as a solvent in this pâté, contributing to the desired texture without any quality concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: Water
-
Is British Pork Fat safe in this food?
Medium
British Pork Fat is used here as base. British pork fat adds richness and moisture to the pâté, but its high saturated fat content raises some health concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: British Pork Fat
-
Is British Venison safe in this food?
Good
British Venison is used here as base. British venison is a lean meat that enhances the flavor profile of the pâté while providing a source of high-quality protein.
Role in formula: base
Original: British Venison
-
Is Shallot safe in this food?
Good
Shallot is used here as flavor. Shallots add a mild onion flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the pâté without any safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Shallot
-
Is Sloe Gin safe in this food?
Medium
Sloe Gin is used here as flavor. Sloe gin contributes a unique flavor to the pâté, but its alcohol content may raise concerns for some consumers.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Sloe Gin
-
Is Butter safe in this food?
Medium
Butter is used here as base. Butter adds creaminess and flavor, but its saturated fat content may be a concern for health-conscious consumers.
Role in formula: base
Original: Butter (Cows' Milk)
-
Is Sugar safe in this food?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is included to balance flavors, but its presence raises concerns about added sugars in savory products.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sugar
-
Is Plum safe in this food?
Good
Plum is used here as flavor. Plum adds natural sweetness and flavor, contributing positively to the overall taste profile of the pâté.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Plum
-
Is Tapioca Starch safe in this food?
Medium
Tapioca Starch is used here as thickener. Tapioca starch is used as a thickening agent, which is generally safe but indicates some processing.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Tapioca Starch
-
Is Salt safe in this food?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor and acts as a preservative, but excessive consumption can raise health concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Salt
-
Is Damson Juice safe in this food?
Good
Damson Juice is used here as flavor. Damson juice adds a fruity flavor, enhancing the overall taste without any safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Damson Juice (1%)
-
Is Garlic Puree safe in this food?
Good
Garlic Puree is used here as flavor. Garlic purée contributes a strong flavor and potential health benefits, making it a positive addition.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Garlic Purée
-
Is Apple Juice From Concentrate safe in this food?
Medium
Apple Juice From Concentrate is used here as sweetener. Apple juice adds sweetness and flavor but is processed, which may raise some quality concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Apple Juice from Concentrate
Read the full ingredient profile for Apple Juice From Concentrate
-
Is Agar safe in this food?
Medium
Agar is used here as gelling agent. Agar is a plant-based gelling agent that helps achieve the desired texture but indicates processing.
Role in formula: gelling agent
Original: Gelling Agents: Agar
-
Is Locust Bean Gum safe in this food?
Medium
Locust Bean Gum is used here as thickener. Locust bean gum is a thickening agent that helps improve texture but is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Locust Bean Gum
-
Is Pectin safe in this food?
Medium
Pectin is used here as gelling agent. Pectin is a natural gelling agent derived from fruits, used to stabilize the pâté but indicates processing.
Role in formula: gelling agent
Original: Pectin
-
Is Spirit Vinegar safe in this food?
Medium
Spirit Vinegar is used here as acidulant. Spirit vinegar adds acidity and flavor, but its processing raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Spirit Vinegar
-
Is Pork Gelatine safe in this food?
Medium
Pork Gelatine is used here as gelling agent. Pork gelatine is used for texture but is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns for some consumers.
Role in formula: gelling agent
Original: Pork Gelatine
-
Is Thyme safe in this food?
Good
Thyme is used here as flavor. Thyme adds a herbal flavor, enhancing the overall taste without any safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Thyme
-
Is Comflour safe in this food?
Medium
Comflour is used here as thickener. Comflour is a thickening agent that helps achieve the desired consistency but indicates processing.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Comflour
-
Is Black Pepper safe in this food?
Good
Black Pepper is used here as flavor. Black pepper adds spiciness and flavor, contributing positively to the overall taste profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Black Pepper
-
Is Bay safe in this food?
Good
Bay is used here as flavor. Bay leaves add a subtle flavor, enhancing the overall taste without any safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Bay
-
Is Beetroot Red safe in this food?
Bad
Beetroot Red is used here as colorant. Beetroot red is an artificial colorant that raises concerns about synthetic additives in the product.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: Colour: Beetroot Red
-
Is Juniper Berry safe in this food?
Good
Juniper Berry is used here as flavor. Juniper berries add a unique flavor, enhancing the overall taste without any safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Juniper Berry
-
Is Mace safe in this food?
Good
Mace is used here as flavor. Mace adds a warm, aromatic flavor, contributing positively to the overall taste profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Mace
-
Is Ascorbic Acid safe in this food?
Medium
Ascorbic Acid is used here as antioxidant. Ascorbic acid is used as an antioxidant to preserve freshness, but its synthetic nature raises some concerns.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: Antioxidant: Ascorbic Acid
-
Is Clove safe in this food?
Good
Clove is used here as flavor. Clove adds a warm, spicy flavor, enhancing the overall taste without any safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Clove
-
Is Dextrose safe in this food?
Medium
Dextrose is used here as sweetener. Dextrose is a simple sugar used for sweetness, but its presence raises concerns about added sugars.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Dextrose
-
Is Ginger safe in this food?
Good
Ginger is used here as flavor. Ginger adds a spicy flavor and potential health benefits, making it a positive addition.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Ginger
-
Is Cinnamon safe in this food?
Good
Cinnamon is used here as flavor. Cinnamon adds warmth and sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor profile without safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Cinnamon
-
Is Sodium Nitrite safe in this food?
Bad
Sodium Nitrite is used here as preservative. Sodium nitrite is a synthetic preservative that raises safety concerns due to its association with health risks.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: Preservative Sodium Nitrite
-
Is Fennel safe in this food?
Good
Fennel is used here as flavor. Fennel adds a sweet, anise-like flavor, enhancing the overall taste without any safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Fennel
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: 3963729
More from this brand: Sainsbury's Taste the Difference products in Zerotox
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