Mexican dips

Unknown brand

10009741

Processing

4

Ultra-processed

Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale

Additives listed

3

0 we grade moderate or higher

1 of them not yet assessed here

Fat per 100g

11.61g

Medium

UK FSA front of pack threshold

Three separate readings, kept apart on purpose. This is not a score, and none of it says this product is harmful.

This label lists 1 antioxidant, 1 colour and 1 thickener or gelling agent.

E300 Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Antioxidant
No real concern strong evidence

What it is. Vitamin C, added to protect colour and flavour and sometimes to fortify.

Why it is used. Stops browning in juices and cut fruit, protects fats, and boosts vitamin content.

What the evidence says. Beneficial and harmless at the levels used. Included here as a reminder that an E number is just a code, and plenty of them are ordinary nutrients.

Regulatory status UK Permitted EU Permitted US Permitted

Permitted freely, no concern.

Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E300

E415 Xanthan gum
Thickener and stabiliser
No real concern strong evidence

What it is. A fibre made by fermenting sugars with a bacterium, which thickens liquids at very low doses.

Why it is used. Thickens sauces and dressings and gives structure to gluten free baking.

What the evidence says. Passes through largely undigested and is treated as safe by regulators, with no numerical intake limit. Very large amounts act as fibre does, which is a digestive effect rather than a safety one.

Regulatory status UK Permitted EU Permitted US Permitted

Permitted freely.

Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E415

Also on the label, not assessed here yet

  • E160C Paprika extract, capsanthin colour

Names and jobs come from the register of additives permitted in Great Britain, which we have not finished transcribing: a code shown without a name is a gap in our coverage, not a finding that it is unapproved. Naming one is not grading it either. Full detail appears only where we have an assessment against a named authority, so all of this describes our coverage rather than these additives. Most are common and low concern.

guacamole: avocado (71%), tomato, soured cream (milk) (9%), onion, concentrated lime juice, coriander, antioxidant (ascorbic acid), garlic purée, red chilli, salt, rice starch. salsa: tomato (72%), onion (9%), tomato juice, tomato purée, red wine vinegar, rapeseed oil, water, sugar, coriander, cornflour, garlic purée, parsley, salt, stabiliser (xanthan gum), colour (paprika extract), sunflower oil. soured cream and chive: soured cream (milk) (56%), water, rapeseed oil, onion, chive (3%), cornflour, pasteurised egg, double cream (milk), spirit vinegar, salt, sugar, rice starch, citrus fibre, dried egg white, potato fibre. suitable for vegetarians.

As printed on the pack, in the producer's own order: ingredients are listed by weight, so what comes first is most of what is in it. E numbers link to their assessment where we have one.

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