belgian bun
Unknown brand
Processing
4
Ultra-processed
Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale
Additives listed
12
0 we grade moderate or higher
8 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 (12)
This label lists 3 colours, 2 emulsifiers, 2 raising agents, 2 thickeners and gelling agents, 1 acidity regulator, 1 additive and 1 sweetener.
E420
Sorbitol
Sweetener and humectant
What it is. A sugar alcohol, about half as sweet as sugar, which also holds moisture.
Why it is used. Used in sugar free sweets and gum, and to keep baked goods soft.
What the evidence says. Not a toxicity question at all. Sugar alcohols are poorly absorbed, so a large amount draws water into the gut and has a laxative effect. That is well established, predictable and dose dependent, which is why the label has to say so.
Permitted. Foods with more than 10 per cent polyols must carry the statement that excessive consumption may produce laxative effects.
Assessed against EFSA, UK FSA. Full entry for E420
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
E100
Curcumin
Yellow colour
What it is. The yellow pigment from turmeric root.
Why it is used. Colours mustards, sauces, dairy, confectionery and savoury snacks.
What the evidence says. A plant pigment people have eaten as a spice for a very long time, and regulators treat it as safe with an acceptable daily intake. EFSA noted that children who eat a lot of the foods it is used in could approach that intake, which is a reason to watch total use rather than a sign of harm.
Permitted with maximum levels in the foods where it is allowed.
Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E100
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
Also on the label, not assessed here yet
- E160B Annatto, bixin, norbixin colour
- E161B Lutein colour
- E406 Agar thickener
- E412 Guar gum thickener
- E422 Glycerol other
- E450 Diphosphates raising agent
- E472 Esters of mono- and diglycerides 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 calcium, iron, niacin, thiamin), icing (21%) vendant sugar, glucose syrup], water, palm fat, lemon juice, humectant (sorbitol syrup), gelling agent (agar)), sultanas (14%), vegetable oils (palm oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil), water, sugar, sugar syrup, glacé cherry (2.0%) (cherries, glucose-fructose syrup, acidity regulator (citric acid), colours (carrot extract, aronia berries)), yeast, lemon filling (1.0%) (water, sugar, cornflour, lemon concentrate, butter (milk), colour (lutein)), egg, whole milk powder, humectant (glycerol), emulsifiers (mono - and di-glycerides of fatty acids, mono - and di-acetyl artaric acid esters of mono - and di-glycerides of fatty acids), salt, wheat flour, abiliser (guar gum), golden syrup, flavouring, colours (curcumin, annatto bixin). ing agents (disodium diphosphate, sodium carbonate), lemon extract, flour tment agent (ascorbic acid), acidity regulator(citric acid), vitamin a. ergen information: allergens in the ingredients list are shown in bold. though every care has been taken to remove all fruit stones some may remain. itable for vegetarians.
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.