Cuthbert cake
Processing
4
Ultra-processed
Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale
Additives listed
14
0 we grade moderate or higher
10 of them not yet assessed here
Sugars per 100g
43g
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 (14)
This label lists 4 acidity regulators, 4 emulsifiers, 2 glazing agents, 1 additive, 1 preservative, 1 raising agent and 1 thickener or gelling 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
E471
Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids
Emulsifier
What it is. Fat derived emulsifiers, closely related to ordinary dietary fats.
Why it is used. One of the most used additives in food: bread, margarine, ice cream, cakes and sauces.
What the evidence says. The body handles these much as it handles other fats, and EFSA's re-evaluation raised no safety concern at the levels used. They sit in the same broad emulsifier and gut microbiome research question as the others, which remains unsettled.
Permitted without a numerical limit. The fat source is not always stated, which matters for some diets rather than for safety.
Assessed against EFSA. Full entry for E471
E322
Lecithin
Emulsifier
What it is. A natural emulsifier, usually from soya or sunflower.
Why it is used. Keeps chocolate smooth and stops ingredients separating.
What the evidence says. Safe and widely used. Only relevant if the source, such as soya, is an allergen for you.
Permitted freely. Source allergen must be declared.
Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E322
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
Also on the label, not assessed here yet
- E260 Acetic acid acidity regulator
- E262 Sodium acetates acidity regulator
- E327 Calcium lactate acidity regulator
- E414 Acacia gum (gum arabic) thickener
- E422 Glycerol other
- E450 Diphosphates raising agent
- E475 Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids emulsifier
- E476 Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) emulsifier
- E901 Beeswax glazing agent
- E903 Carnauba wax glazing 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
milk chocolate (23%) [sugar, cocoa butter*, cocoa mass*, skimmed milk powder, milk fat, palm oil, shea fat, emulsifiers: lecithins (soya), polyglycerol polyricinoleate, flavouring], sugar, wheat flour, white chocolate (11%) [sugar, cocoa butter*, whole milk powder, emulsifier: lecithins (soya), flavouring], butter (milk), pasteurised egg, glucose syrup, dark chocolate (4%) [sugar, cocoa mass*, cocoa butter*, emulsifier: lecithins (soya)], fat reduced cocoa powder*, humectant: glycerol, water, palm oil, whey powder (milk), raising agents: diphosphates, potassium carbonates, milk chocolate (0,5%) [sugar, whole milk powder, cocoa butter*, cocoa mass*, emulsifier: lecithins (soya), flavouring], cocoa mass*, emulsifiers: mono-and diglycerides of fatty acids, polyglycerol esters of fatty acids, lecithins, cocoa butter*, whole milk powder, preservatives: potassium sorbate, sodium acetates, wheat flour (wheat flour, calcium carbonate, iron, niacin, thiamin), rice starch, acidity regulators: acetic acid, calcium lactate, citric acid, salt, glazing agents: beeswax, carnauba wax, gum arabic, algae concentrate, blackcurrant juice concentrate, carthamus extract, grape juice concentrate, lemon juice concentrate, radish juice concentrate, red beet juice concentrate, barley malt extract, flavouring.
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.