Unwrapped Food

Unicorn Cake Mix

Mr Kipling

5000354916342

Processing

4

Ultra-processed

Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale

Additives listed

11

0 we grade moderate or higher

9 of them not yet assessed here

Sugars per 100g

24g

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 (11)

This label lists 6 emulsifiers, 3 raising agents, 1 colour and 1 thickener or gelling agent.

E471 Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids
Emulsifier Low limited evidence

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.

Regulatory status UK Permitted EU Permitted US Permitted

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

E415 Xanthan gum
Thickener and stabiliser No real concern strong evidence

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.

Regulatory status UK Permitted EU Permitted US Permitted

Permitted freely.

Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E415

Also on the label, not assessed here yet

  • E120 Cochineal, carminic acid, carmines colour
  • E341 Calcium phosphates raising agent
  • E450 Diphosphates raising agent
  • E470A Sodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acids emulsifier
  • E472B Lactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides emulsifier
  • E472E Mono- and diacetyltartaric acid esters (DATEM) emulsifier
  • E477 Propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acids emulsifier
  • E482 Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate emulsifier
  • 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

Wheat Flour (with added Calcium, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Sugar, Maize Starch, Tapioca Starch, Raising Agents (Monocalcium Phosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Dextrose, Emulsifiers (Lactic Acid Esters of Mono - and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids, Mono - and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids, Propylene Glycol Esters of Fatty Acids, Calcium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate, Mono-and Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Mono-and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids, Sodium, Potassium and Calcium Salts of Fatty Acids), Maltodextrin, Skimmed Milk Powder, Stabilisers (Xanthan Gum, Diphosphates), Flavouring, Colour (Carmine).

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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