Tempura Crunch
Processing
4
Ultra-processed
Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale
Additives listed
12
0 we grade moderate or higher
8 of them not yet assessed here
Fat per 100g
13g
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.
Additives (12)
This label lists 5 thickeners and gelling agents, 2 acidity regulators, 2 colours, 1 antioxidant, 1 preservative and 1 raising agent.
E202
Potassium sorbate
Preservative
What it is. The potassium salt of sorbic acid, which stops mould and yeast growth.
Why it is used. Used in cheese, baked goods, dried fruit, wine and dressings.
What the evidence says. Widely used and long regarded as one of the gentler preservatives. EFSA's 2015 re-evaluation lowered the acceptable daily intake and noted gaps in the genotoxicity data, asking for more work, while finding no evidence of harm at the levels actually used.
Permitted with maximum levels. EFSA has asked for further data rather than restricted it.
Assessed against EFSA. Full entry for E202
E300
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Antioxidant
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.
Permitted freely, no concern.
Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E300
E330
Citric acid
Acidity regulator
What it is. A mild acid found naturally in citrus fruit, made commercially by fermentation.
Why it is used. Adds tartness, balances flavour and helps preserve. One of the most used additives in food.
What the evidence says. Safe at food levels. No credible health concern for the additive itself.
Permitted freely.
Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E330
E415
Xanthan gum
Thickener and stabiliser
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.
Permitted freely.
Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E415
Also on the label, not assessed here yet
- E1400 Dextrin thickener
- E1420 Acetylated starch thickener
- E160C Paprika extract, capsanthin colour
- E170 Calcium carbonate colour
- E331 Sodium citrates acidity regulator
- E401 Sodium alginate thickener
- E412 Guar gum thickener
- E500 Sodium carbonates raising agent
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.
Ingredients
Riso all'aceto [riso, condimento sushi [aceto di alcool (estratto di riso, estratto di fermentato di saké, aceto di alcool), zucchero, sale, estratto di alga kelp], succo di limone, olio di semi semi di girasole, sale], tempura di mazzancolla (prodotto decongelato) 15% [mazzancolla tropicale (Litopenaeus vannamei) (regolatori di acidità: E330, E331, destrine, gambero (crostacei), sale, agenti lievitanti: E500(ii)), panatura (Farina di mais, amido di mais, destrosio, aglio, amido modificato, cipolla, farina di riso, sale, zucchero, amido di tapioca, grasso vegetale, acqua, farina di grano, stabilizzante: E415), pastella (addensanti: E412, amido modificato, sale, amido, zucchero, grasso vegetale, farina di grano, lievito), pre pastellatura (addensanti: E1420, antiossidanti: E300, coloranti: E170(1), sale, grasso solidoper cucinare, zucchero, farina di grano, lievito), olio di soia raffinato] [Vietnam, Tailandia], cipolla fritta [cipolla, olio di palma, farina di grano, sale], avocado, cetriolo, maionese senza uova [olio di colza, acqua, aceto di alcool, zucchero, sale, amido modificato, correttori di acidità: E330, semi di senape, stabilizzante: E415, spezie], salsa sushi [zucchero, salsa di soia (acqua, soia, sale, aceto di alcool), acqua, caramello aromatico (saccarosio, sciroppo di glucosio), sciroppo di glucosio-fruttosio, amido di mais modificato, melassa, sale, acquavite, stabilizzante: E401, E415, estratto di lievito], lattuga, alga nori, sriracha [peperoncino, acqua, zucchero, aglio (aglio, correttori di acidità: E330), aceto di alcool, paprica, sale, peperoncino di cayenna, addensanti: E412, stabilizzante: E415, coloranti: E160c, conservanti: E202, correttori di acidità: E330]. Può contenere: sesamo, uovo, pesce, sedano, molluschi, frutta a guscio, latte, solfiti, arachidi.
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.