Freefrom cherry bakewells
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
Sugars per 100g
41.60g
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 (12)
This label lists 3 acidity regulators, 2 emulsifiers, 2 additives, 2 thickeners and gelling agents, 1 colour and 1 preservative. 1 more we cannot place from the code alone.
E220
Sulphur dioxide and sulphites
Preservative
What it is. A preservative that stops browning and microbial growth.
Why it is used. Used in dried fruit, wine, some soft drinks and processed potato.
What the evidence says. Not a cancer concern, but a well established trigger for asthma symptoms and sensitivity in some people, which is why it is a declarable allergen. Clear, strong evidence, but the concern applies to a specific group rather than everyone.
Permitted, but must be declared on the label when above a small threshold because of the allergy risk.
Assessed against EFSA, UK FSA. Full entry for E220
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
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
- E163 Anthocyanins colour
- E260 Acetic acid acidity regulator
- E331 Sodium citrates acidity regulator
- E422 Glycerol other
- E440 Pectin thickener
- E473 Sucrose esters of fatty acids emulsifier
- E900 Dimethyl polysiloxane other
- E900A No entry in our register
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
fondant icing (29%) (icing sugar, wheat glucose syrup, water, palm oil, rapeseed oil, fructose, dextrose monohydrate, cornflour, emulsifiers (glyceryl monostearate, sucrose esters of fatty acids), humectant (vegetable glycerine), rice starch, acidity regulator (citric acid)), tapioca starch, wholegrain rice flour, Raspberry Jam (8%) (wheat glucose-fructose syrup, sugar, raspberry concentrate, gelling agent (pectin), colour (anthocyanins), acidity regulators (trisodium citrate, citric acid), flavouring, processing aids (calcium chloride, dimethyl polysiloxane)), sugar, palm oil, glace cherries (5%) (cherries, wheat glucose-fructose syrup, sugar, acidity regulator (citric acid), carrot, radish, apple, cherry, sweet potato, preservative (sulphur dioxide)), rapeseed oil, ground almonds (4%), brown sugar, water, pasteurised egg, rice flour, wheat glucose syrup, flavouring, salt, stabiliser (xanthan gum), acetic acid, emulsifier (mono - and diglycerides of fatty acids).
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.