Vanilla party cake
Processing
4
Ultra-processed
Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale
Additives listed
15
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 (15)
This label lists 4 acidity regulators, 3 glazing agents, 2 colours, 2 emulsifiers, 2 raising agents, 1 additive and 1 preservative.
E202
Potassium sorbate
Preservative
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.
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
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
Also on the label, not assessed here yet
- E140 Chlorophylls and chlorophyllins colour
- E296 Malic acid acidity regulator
- E297 Fumaric acid acidity regulator
- E331 Sodium citrates acidity regulator
- E422 Glycerol other
- E450 Diphosphates raising agent
- E500 Sodium carbonates raising agent
- E901 Beeswax glazing agent
- E903 Carnauba wax glazing agent
- E904 Shellac glazing 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
buttercream (27%) [sugar, unsalted butter (milk), glucose syrup, water, invert sugar syrup, maize starch, preservative (potassium sorbate), dried egg white, palm oil, whey powder (milk), fortified wheat flour [wheat flour, calcium carbonate, iron, niacin (b3), thÃamin (b1), emulsifier (soya lecithins), flavouring], fortified wheat flour [wheat flour, calcium carbonate, iron, niacin (b3), thiamin (b1)], sugar, egg, humectant (glycerol), jelly beans (5%) [sugar, glucose syrup, maize starch, water, acidity regulators (citric acid, fumaric acid, sodium citrates), fruit and vegetable concentrates [carrot, pumpkin, radish, apple, blackcurrant)], glazing agents (shellac, beeswax, carnauba wax), flavouring, acidity regulator (malic acid), spirulina concentrate, caramelised sugar syrup], rapeseed oil, water, palm oil, egg white, tutti frutti chips (2%) [sugar, glucose syrup, sunflower oil, potato starch, acidity regulator (citric acid), flavouring, emulsifier (lecithins), glazing agents (shellac, beeswax), elderberry juice from concentrate, colours (chlorophylls and chlorophyllins, carotenes)], raising agents (diphosphates, sodium carbonates), emulsifier (mono - and diglycerides of fatty acids), preservative (potassium sorbate), salt, flavouring. allergy advice! for allergens, including cereals containing gluten, see ingredients in bold. may also contain traces of nuts. no artificial colours, flavours or hydrogenated fat. warning not to be given to children under 3 years of age.
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.