Is Whole Grain Thin-Sliced Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Pepperidge Farm
Whole Grain Thin-Sliced is a snack from Pepperidge Farm. 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 Calcium Propionate, Sorbic Acid, Datem.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes whole wheat flour and cracked wheat, which are beneficial for fiber content. However, the presence of sugar, whey, and synthetic preservatives like calcium propionate and sorbic acid raises concerns about the overall quality and safety of the product, leading to a moderate rating.
Main concern
Sugar is present, which can contribute to higher glycemic responses and is often viewed negatively in bread products.
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
- Whole wheat flour provides fiber, contributing positively to the product's nutritional profile.
- Cracked wheat adds texture and additional fiber, enhancing the overall quality of the bread.
Concerns
- Sugar is present, which can contribute to higher glycemic responses and is often viewed negatively in bread products.
- Calcium propionate and sorbic acid are synthetic preservatives that raise concerns about the use of artificial additives in food.
Who should avoid this product?
This snack 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 snack so the page answers more than a simple label list.
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Is Whole Wheat Flour safe in this snack?
Good
Whole Wheat Flour is used here as base. Whole wheat flour is the primary ingredient providing essential nutrients and fiber, contributing positively to the product's health profile.
Role in formula: base
Original: WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR
-
Is Water safe in this snack?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water is a fundamental ingredient in bread-making, serving as a solvent and hydrating agent for the flour, essential for dough formation.
Role in formula: base
Original: WATER
-
Is Sugar safe in this snack?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is added for sweetness and to enhance browning during baking, but it raises concerns due to its potential impact on blood sugar levels.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: SUGAR
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Is Cracked Wheat safe in this snack?
Good
Cracked Wheat is used here as base. Cracked wheat adds texture and additional fiber, enhancing the overall quality of the bread and contributing to its nutritional value.
Role in formula: base
Original: CRACKED WHEAT
-
Is Yeast safe in this snack?
Good
Yeast is used here as base. Yeast is a natural leavening agent that helps the bread rise, contributing to its texture and flavor without any safety concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: YEAST
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Is Wheat Gluten safe in this snack?
Medium
Wheat Gluten is used here as stabilizer. Wheat gluten is used to improve the dough's elasticity and structure, but it may raise concerns for individuals with gluten sensitivities.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: WHEAT GLUTEN
-
Is Vegetable Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Vegetable Oil is used here as emulsifier. Vegetable oil (soybean and/or canola) is used for moisture and texture, but concerns exist regarding the processing and potential for GMOs.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: VEGETABLE OIL (SOYBEAN AND/OR CANOLA)
-
Is Whey safe in this snack?
Medium
Whey is used here as base. Whey is a dairy byproduct that adds protein and moisture, but it poses allergen risks for those with dairy sensitivities.
Role in formula: base
Original: WHEY
-
Is Sugarcane Fiber safe in this snack?
Good
Sugarcane Fiber is used here as base. Sugarcane fiber is added for additional fiber content, contributing positively to the product's nutritional profile without safety concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: SUGARCANE FIBER
-
Is Salt safe in this snack?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor and controls fermentation, but excessive sodium intake is a concern for some consumers.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: SALT
-
Is Calcium Propionate safe in this snack?
Bad
Calcium Propionate is used here as preservative. Calcium propionate is a synthetic preservative used to extend shelf life, raising concerns about the use of artificial additives in food.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: CALCIUM PROPIONATE
-
Is Sorbic Acid safe in this snack?
Bad
Sorbic Acid is used here as preservative. Sorbic acid is another synthetic preservative that helps prevent mold growth, but its synthetic nature raises quality concerns.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: SORBIC ACID
-
Is Soy Lecithin safe in this snack?
Medium
Soy Lecithin is used here as emulsifier. Soy lecithin is used as an emulsifier to improve texture, but it may raise concerns for those with soy allergies.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: SOY LECITHIN
-
Is Datem safe in this snack?
Bad
Datem is used here as emulsifier. DATEM is a synthetic emulsifier that improves dough stability but raises concerns due to its artificial nature.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: DATEM
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Is Natural Flavor safe in this snack?
Medium
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavor is used to enhance taste but can be vague in terms of specific ingredients, raising transparency concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: NATURAL FLAVOR
-
Is Monoglycerides safe in this snack?
Medium
Monoglycerides is used here as emulsifier. Monoglycerides are used to improve texture and shelf life, but they are processed ingredients that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: MONOGLYCERIDES
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: 2374686
More from this brand: Pepperidge Farm products in Zerotox
Similar products: snack in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: wheat , soy , dairy
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.