Ham stock cubes
Unknown brand
Processing
4
Ultra-processed
Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale
Additives listed
1
1 we grade moderate or higher
Counted from the label, not by quantity
Salt per 100g
22.52g
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 (1)
This label lists 1 preservative.
E251
Sodium nitrate
Preservative, cured meats and some cheeses
What it is. A curing agent that slowly converts to nitrite in the product, giving a longer acting preservative effect.
Why it is used. Used in dry cured meats and a few traditional cheeses.
What the evidence says. Sits under the same processed meat evidence as nitrite, since it ends up as nitrite in the food. Same practical takeaway: the issue is regular processed meat intake, not a trace in one meal.
Permitted with maximum levels, tightened in the EU alongside nitrite.
Assessed against IARC, EFSA, UK FSA. Full entry for E251
Ingredients
INGREDIENTS (GREATEST FIRST): Salt, Potato Starch, Dried Glucose Syrup, Flavourings (contain Barley, Wheat), Wheat Flour (with added Calcium, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Ham Bouillon Powder (4.5%) (Pork Bonestock, Yeast Extract, Salt, Whey Powder (from Milk), Dried Onion, Sunflower Oil, Onion Extract, Parsley Extract, Celery Extract), Pork Fat (4.5%), Sugar, Ham Powder (2%) (Pork, Salt, Dextrose, Smoke Flavouring, Acidity Regulator (Sodium Ascorbate), Preservative (Sodium Nitrate)), Onion Powder, Dried Parsley, Smoke Flavouring. ALLERGY ADVICE: For allergens, including cereals containing gluten, see ingredients in bold. 5 000354"404641">
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.