Chocolate and Salted Caramel Pots

Tesco

5057753905323

Processing

4

Ultra-processed

Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale

Additives listed

6

1 we grade moderate or higher

4 of them not yet assessed here

Saturates per 100g

10.10g

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 2 emulsifiers, 2 thickeners and gelling agents, 1 colour and 1 additive.

E171 Titanium dioxide
Whitener and opacifier
Moderate moderate evidence

What it is. A bright white pigment used to make sweets, icing, sauces and coatings look opaque and white.

Why it is used. Purely cosmetic. It changes appearance, not taste or safety of the food.

What the evidence says. In 2021 the EU food safety body EFSA concluded it could no longer be considered safe as a food additive, mainly because possible genetic damage from the tiny particles could not be ruled out. That is a precautionary call rather than proof of harm in people.

Regulatory status UK Permitted EU Banned as a food additive US Permitted

Banned as a food additive in the EU since 2022. Still permitted in the UK and the US, which reached different conclusions on the same evidence. A clear case of the same additive, different rules.

Assessed against EFSA, UK FSA, US FDA. Full entry for E171

E322 Lecithin
Emulsifier
No real concern strong evidence

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.

Regulatory status UK Permitted EU Permitted US Permitted

Permitted freely. Source allergen must be declared.

Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E322

Also on the label, not assessed here yet

  • E422 Glycerol other
  • E428 Gelatine thickener
  • E440 Pectin thickener
  • E472B Lactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides emulsifier

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.

Salted Caramel Sauce (26%) (Water, Sugar, Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Glucose Syrup, Butter (_Milk_), Skimmed _Milk_, Cornflour, Salt, Caramelised Sugar, Gelling Agent (Pectin), Flavouring, _Milk_ Sugar), Water, Whipping Cream (_Milk_), Belgian Dark Chocolate (8%) (Cocoa Mass, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Butteroil (_Milk_), Emulsifier (_Soya_ Lecithins), Flavouring), Belgian Milk Chocolate (6%) (Sugar, Dried Whole _Milk_, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Mass, Emulsifier (_Soya_ Lecithins), Flavouring), Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Dried Skimmed _Milk_, Maltodextrin, Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder, Beef Gelatine, Humectant (Glycerol), Emulsifier (Lactic Acid Esters of Mono - and Di-Glycerides of Fatty Acids), Gelling Agent (Pectin), Dextrose, Cornflour, Palm Oil, Colours (Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide).

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.

Scan another barcode Search