Creamy thousand island dressing

Asda

5052449515473

Processing

4

Ultra-processed

Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale

Additives listed

5

0 we grade moderate or higher

2 of them not yet assessed here

Fat per 100g

21g

High

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.

This label lists 1 acidity regulator, 1 antioxidant, 1 colour, 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

E300 Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Antioxidant
No real concern strong evidence

What it is. Vitamin C, added to protect colour and flavour and sometimes to fortify.

Why it is used. Stops browning in juices and cut fruit, protects fats, and boosts vitamin content.

What the evidence says. Beneficial and harmless at the levels used. Included here as a reminder that an E number is just a code, and plenty of them are ordinary nutrients.

Regulatory status UK Permitted EU Permitted US Permitted

Permitted freely, no concern.

Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E300

E415 Xanthan gum
Thickener and stabiliser
No real concern strong evidence

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.

Regulatory status UK Permitted EU Permitted US Permitted

Permitted freely.

Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E415

Also on the label, not assessed here yet

  • E160C Paprika extract, capsanthin colour
  • E270 Lactic acid 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.

Water, rapeseed oil, sugar, white wine vinegar, low fat yogurt (milk), tomato paste, cornflour, Dijon mustard (water, mustard seeds, spirit vinegar, salt), yellow mustard flour, egg yolk powder, dried red peppers, salt, concentrated lemon juice, Worcester sauce (water, sugar, spirit vinegar, molasses, onion purée, salt, tamarind paste, cloves, garlic purée, ginger), acidity regulator (lactic acid), garlic purée, parsley, antioxidant (ascorbic acid), preservative (potassium sorbate), stabiliser (xanthan gum), black pepper, cayenne powder, colour (paprika extract)

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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