Peppered Beef with Dauphinoise Potatoes
Processing
4
Ultra-processed
Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale
Additives listed
16
0 we grade moderate or higher
10 of them not yet assessed here
Nutrients
–
Nothing above the low band
Or no figures recorded at all
Three separate readings, kept apart on purpose. This is not a score, and none of it says this product is harmful.
Additives (16)
This label lists 5 acidity regulators, 3 emulsifiers, 3 flavour enhancers, 2 colours, 2 raising agents and 1 thickener or gelling agent.
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
E160A
Carotenes
Yellow to orange colour
What it is. The orange pigments found in carrots and other vegetables, either extracted or made synthetically.
Why it is used. Colours margarine, soft drinks, dairy, and sweets.
What the evidence says. The same compound the body turns into vitamin A, and safe at the levels used in food. High dose beta-carotene supplements have been linked to harm in smokers, but those doses are far above anything a colour in food delivers, and conflating the two is a common mistake.
Permitted. The supplement findings apply to concentrated doses, not to food colouring.
Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E160A
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
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
E621
Monosodium glutamate
Flavour enhancer
What it is. The sodium salt of glutamate, an amino acid found naturally in tomatoes, cheese and mushrooms.
Why it is used. Boosts savoury, umami flavour in stocks, crisps, ready meals and sauces.
What the evidence says. The old idea of MSG causing headaches and flushing, once called Chinese restaurant syndrome, has not held up in controlled trials. Regulators worldwide treat it as safe at normal intake. A genuinely useful example of a feared additive that the evidence exonerates.
Permitted and classed as safe. Adds to total sodium, so it counts towards salt if a product uses a lot.
Assessed against EFSA, JECFA, US FDA. Full entry for E621
Also on the label, not assessed here yet
- E150C Ammonia caramel colour
- E260 Acetic acid acidity regulator
- E331 Sodium citrates acidity regulator
- E340 Potassium phosphates acidity regulator
- E341 Calcium phosphates raising agent
- E435 Polysorbate 60 emulsifier
- E452 Polyphosphates acidity regulator
- E500 Sodium carbonates raising agent
- E627 Disodium guanylate flavour enhancer
- E631 Disodium inosinate flavour enhancer
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
Dauphinoise Potatoes (52%) (White Sauce (Water, Margarine Vegetable Gas in varying proportions (Rapeseed, Palm, Sunflower, Water, Salt, Emulsifer Mono - and di-glycerides of Fatty Acids, Acid: Citric Acid, Vitamins A and 0, Colour Carotenes Bavourings). Flour (Fortified WHEAT Flour WHEAT Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin (B3), Thiamine (B1)), Raising Agents (Calcium Phosphate, Sodium Carbonates), Chicken Bouillon Paste (Salt, Palm Oil, Flavour Enhancers Monosodium Glutamate, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, Flavourings, Potato Starch, Yeast Extract, Dehydrated Chicken Meat, Dehydrated Vegetables (Onion, Garlic), Colour Plain Caramel Herb and Spice Extract (CELERY), Herbs), MILK Powder Skimmed MILK Powder (24%) Lactose (MILK), Coconut Oil, Whey Powder (MILK), Dried Glucose Syrup, Stabilisers: Dipotassium Phosphate, Sodium Polyphosphate; Anti-caking Agent: Scon Dioxide; MILK Proteins, Emulsifier Mono - and di-glycerides of Fatty Acids: Vitamin D, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder), Potatoes, (contains metabiSULPHITE)), Pepper Sauce (25%) (Water Gluten Free Gravy Powder Potato Starch, Rice Flour, Salt, Sugar, Caramelised Sugar, Maltodextrin, Yeast Extract, Flavourings, Onions, Herbs (Coriander, Sage. Bay Leaf), Sunflower Oil, Acid: Citric Acid, Garlic kerrymaid double cream (Reconstituted Skimmed MILK Powder, Palm Kernel Oil, Water, Palm Oil, Modified Maize Starch, Flavourings (contain MILK). Emulsifiers (E471, E322, E435), MILK Protein, Thickener (E415), Acidity Regulator (E331, E340) Salt, Colour (E160a). Beef Bouillon Paste (Salt, Palm Oil, Flavour Enhancers: Monosodium Glutamate, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate; Flavouring Potato Starch, Yeast Extract, Beef Extract, Dehydrated Vegetables (Garlic, Carrot), Colour Plain Caramel Herb and Spice Extract (CELERY), Herbs), Black Pepper), Barbeque Sauce (Water, Sugar, Tomato Paste, Spirit Vinegar, Glucose-Fructose Syrup. Modified Maize Starch, Bramley Apple Puree (contains Preservative: Sodium MefabiSULPHITE) Salt, Apple Juice Concentrate, Acidity Regulator Acetic Acid: Colour: Ammonia Caramel: Smoke Flavourings, Preservative: Potassium Sorbate Stabiliser: Xanthan Gum: Paprika, Dried Garlic, Dried Onion, Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper). Beef (21%).
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.