Chilli cheese bites
Processing
4
Ultra-processed
Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale
Additives listed
9
0 we grade moderate or higher
7 of them not yet assessed here
Saturates per 100g
5.33g
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.
Additives (9)
This label lists 3 thickeners and gelling agents, 2 raising agents, 1 acidity regulator, 1 antioxidant, 1 colour and 1 additive.
E300
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Antioxidant
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.
Permitted freely, no concern.
Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E300
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
- E1400 Dextrin thickener
- E160C Paprika extract, capsanthin colour
- E331 Sodium citrates acidity regulator
- E341 Calcium phosphates raising agent
- E450 Diphosphates raising agent
- E461 Methyl cellulose thickener
- E509 Calcium chloride other
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
processed cheese (35%) [cheddar cheese (milk) (51%), water, modified potato starch, milk fat, milk protein, emulsifier (sodium citrates)], wheat flour, water, green peppers (10%), sunflower oil, jalapeño peppers (4%) [jalapeño peppers, water, spirit vinegar, sugar, salt, stabiliser (calcium chloride), acidity regulator (ascorbic acid)], modified potato starch, potato starch, tapioca dextrin, dextrose, salt, yeast, thickeners (xanthan gum, methyl cellulose), raising agents (diphosphates, calcium phosphates, potassium carbonates), colour (paprika extract), white pepper. allergy advice! for allergens, including cereals containing gluten, see ingredients in bold. may also contain traces of egg. no artificial colours, flavours or hydrogenated fat.
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.