Unwrapped Food

Chorizo Mac & Cheese - Gastro

Specially Selected

4061462143090

Processing

4

Ultra-processed

Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale

Additives listed

7

1 we grade moderate or higher

5 of them not yet assessed here

Saturates per 100g

5.25g

High

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 (7)

This label lists 3 preservatives, 2 antioxidants, 1 acidity regulator and 1 colour.

E250 Sodium nitrite
Preservative and colour fixer, cured meats Higher concern strong evidence

What it is. A curing salt that keeps cured and processed meats pink and stops the growth of the bacteria behind botulism.

Why it is used. Used in bacon, ham, salami and hot dogs for preservation, safety and colour.

What the evidence says. The concern is not the additive in isolation but processed meat as a whole, which the WHO's cancer agency IARC classes as Group 1, meaning there is sufficient evidence it causes colorectal cancer. Nitrite can form nitrosamines during curing and cooking, and those are the likely culprit. Risk rises with how much processed meat you eat over time.

Regulatory status UK Permitted with limits or a warning EU Permitted with limits or a warning US Permitted with limits or a warning

Permitted with strict maximum levels. The EU cut the allowed limits further from 2023 to reduce nitrosamine formation.

Assessed against IARC, EFSA, UK FSA. Full entry for E250

E330 Citric acid
Acidity regulator No real concern strong evidence

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.

Regulatory status UK Permitted EU Permitted US Permitted

Permitted freely.

Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E330

Also on the label, not assessed here yet

  • E1105 Lysozyme preservative
  • E160C Paprika extract, capsanthin colour
  • E252 Potassium nitrate preservative
  • E316 Sodium erythorbate antioxidant
  • E392 Extracts of rosemary antioxidant

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

Cooked Macaroni 28%(Durum _Wheat_ Semolina, Water), Extra Mature Cheddar Cheese 20%(_milk_), Water, Skimmed Milk, Chorizo 6%(Pork, Water, Salt, Milk, Ground Paprika, Dextrose, Smoked Paprika Powder, _Milk_ Protein Powder, Garlic, Paprika Extract, Acidity Regulator(Sodium Citrates) Antioxidants(Sodium Erythorbate, Rosemary Extract), Garlic Powder, Black Pepper, Preservatives(Sodium Nitrite, Potassium Nitrate), Oregano), Toasted Ciabatta Crumb(_Wheat_ Flour(_Wheat Flour_, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Water, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Salt, Yeast), Single Cream(_Milk_), Mascarpone Cheese(_Milk_), Rapeseed Oil, Cornflour, Grana Padano Cheese(Grana Padano Cheese(_Milk_), Preservative(Lysozyme), _Wheat_ Flour(_Wheat_ Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, Iron, Thiamin), Rapeseed Oil, Parsley, Smoked Paprika, Garlic Purée, English Mustard(Water, Mustard Flour, Salt, Sugar, Wheat Starch, Yellow Mustard Flour, Citric Acid, Ground Turmeric), Ground Paprika, Ground White Pepper, Ground Nutmeg

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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