Prawns in Tempura
Unknown brand
Processing
4
Ultra-processed
Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale
Additives listed
7
0 we grade moderate or higher
4 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 (7)
This label lists 2 raising agents, 2 thickeners and gelling agents, 1 colour, 1 emulsifier and 1 preservative.
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
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
- E160C Paprika extract, capsanthin colour
- E450 Diphosphates raising agent
- E464 Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose thickener
- 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
prawn (50%) (prawn (crustaceans), salt), water, rice flour, potato starch, rapeseed oil, maize flour, maize starch, salt, gram flour, tapioca starch, bamboo fibre, raising agents (disodium diphosphate, sodium bicarbonate), dextrose, emulsifier (mono - and diglycerides of fatty acids), stabilisers (hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, xanthan gum), colour (paprika extract), caramelised sugar syrup, paprika extract. allergy advice: for allergens, see ingredients in bold. preparation / cooking guidelines: ensure product is piping hot before serving. as appliances vary the following timings are guidelines only. remove from packaging and place on a baking tray in the centre of a pre-heated oven at 220°c/200°c fan/ 400f/gm7 and cook product for 9-11 minutes. do not reheat once cooked. caution: whilst every care has been taken to remove all shell, some small shell may remain. o
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.