Unwrapped Food

2 chocolate muffins

Unknown brand

5010666030681

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

21.99g

Medium

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 3 acidity regulators, 3 emulsifiers, 2 raising agents, 1 additive, 1 preservative and 1 thickener or gelling agent.

E202 Potassium sorbate
Preservative Low moderate evidence

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.

Regulatory status UK Permitted EU Permitted US Permitted

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 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

Also on the label, not assessed here yet

  • E270 Lactic acid acidity regulator
  • E327 Calcium lactate acidity regulator
  • E412 Guar gum thickener
  • E422 Glycerol other
  • E450 Diphosphates raising agent
  • E473 Sucrose esters of fatty acids emulsifier
  • E481 Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate emulsifier
  • E500 Sodium carbonates raising agent
  • E501 Potassium carbonates acidity regulator

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, Sugar. EGG, Rapeseed Oil, Water, Cocoa Powder (7.2%), WHEY Powder (MILK), Modified Potato Starch. Vegetable Oil, Raising Agents (E450. E500. E501), Emulsifiers (E471. E481). Stabilisers (E4?, E412). Natural Flavouring, Chocolate Fudge Icing (Sugar, Rapeseed Oil, Water, Cocoa Powder, Dried Glucose Syrup. Vegetarian WHEY powder (MILK). glucose syrup, Emulsifiers (E471 E473), glycerine, preservative (E202). acidity regulators (E270 E327). natural 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.

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