Spicy Korean Chicken & Tempura Rice with sweet chilli mayo
Processing
4
Ultra-processed
Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale
Additives listed
11
0 we grade moderate or higher
7 of them not yet assessed here
Fat per 100g
14.10g
Medium
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 (11)
This label lists 3 acidity regulators, 2 preservatives, 2 thickeners and gelling agents, 1 emulsifier, 1 flavour enhancer, 1 additive and 1 raising agent.
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
E211
Sodium benzoate
Preservative
What it is. A preservative that stops yeasts, moulds and some bacteria growing in acidic foods.
Why it is used. Used in soft drinks, sauces, pickles and dressings.
What the evidence says. EFSA re-evaluated it in 2016 and kept an acceptable daily intake, with normal exposure below it. The known issue is specific: in acidic drinks that also contain vitamin C, benzoate can form small amounts of benzene, so manufacturers reformulated to avoid the combination. It was also present in the drink mixes used in the Southampton hyperactivity study, though the warning requirement that followed applies to the colours rather than to benzoate.
Permitted with maximum levels in the foods where it is allowed.
Assessed against EFSA, UK FSA. Full entry for E211
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
E621
Monosodium glutamate
Flavour enhancer
What it is. The sodium salt of glutamate, an amino acid found naturally in tomatoes, cheese and mushrooms.
Why it is used. Boosts savoury, umami flavour in stocks, crisps, ready meals and sauces.
What the evidence says. The old idea of MSG causing headaches and flushing, once called Chinese restaurant syndrome, has not held up in controlled trials. Regulators worldwide treat it as safe at normal intake. A genuinely useful example of a feared additive that the evidence exonerates.
Permitted and classed as safe. Adds to total sodium, so it counts towards salt if a product uses a lot.
Assessed against EFSA, JECFA, US FDA. Full entry for E621
Also on the label, not assessed here yet
- E260 Acetic acid acidity regulator
- E336 Potassium tartrates acidity regulator
- E412 Guar gum thickener
- E470A Sodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acids emulsifier
- E500 Sodium carbonates raising agent
- E575 Glucono-delta-lactone acidity regulator
- E900 Dimethyl polysiloxane 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
TEMPURA RICE: (51%) Sushi Rice: [Rice: Water: Vinegar: [Spirit Vinegar, Salt]. Sugar: Sunflower Oil: [100% Sunflower Seed Oil]. White Sesame: Salt: [ Salt, Anti-Caking Agent]]. Mayonnaise: [Rapeseed Oil, Water, Sugar, Stabiliser (Modified Starch), Preservative (Acetic Acid), Egg Yolk Powder (Pasteurised Egg Yolks, Salt, Maltodextrin), Stabiliser (Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum), Salt, Preservative (Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate), Beta Carotene] Teriyaki Sauce: [Water: Soy Sauce: [Water, Soy Beans, Wheat, Salt, Alcohol].Vinegar: [Spirit Vinegar, Salt]. Sugar: Sake: [Rice, Water, Yeast, Edible Alcohol]. Potato Flour: [Potato Starch]. Sweet Soy Sauce: [Sugar, Water, Brown Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Soy Sauce (Soy Bean, Wheat Flour, Salt, Water)]]. Spring Onion: Tempura Batter: [Tempura Flour: (67%) [Flour (Wheat), Baking Powder (E500, Corn Starch, E34 li, E470a, E575, E336)]. Water: Salt: [Salt, Anti-Caking Agent]]. POPCORN CHICKEN: [Chicken Breast Fillet (53%), Wheat Flour, Potato Starch, Refined Soya Bean Oil, Water, Salt, Sugar, Flavour Enhancer (Monosodium Glutamate), Emulsifier (Sodium Tripolphosphate), White Pepper, Chilli Powder (Chilli Extract, Maltodextrin, Flavor Enhancer (Di Sodium 5'Ribonucleotide), Garlic Powder, Dextrose, Onion Powder, Turmeric, Raising Agents (Disodium Dihygrogen Pyrophoshate, Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate), Colour (Paprika), Acidity Regulator (Sodium Bicarbonate), Black Pepper, Garlic Extract (Garlic Oil, Refined Soy Bean Oil)]. Sweet CHILLI MAYONNAISE: Mayonnaise: [Rapeseed Oil, Water, Sugar, Stabiliser (Modified Starch), Preservative (Acetic Acid), Egg Yolk Powder (Pasteurised Egg Yolks, Salt, Maltodextrin), Stabiliser (Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum), Salt, Preservative (Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate), Beta Carotene] Water: Sweet Chilli Sauce: [Sugar, Water, Pickled Red Chilli, Vinegar, Garlic, Salt, Xantham Gum] Soy Sauce: [Water, Soy Beans, Wheat, Salt, Alcohol]. RED PEPPER: EDAMAME SOY BEAN: [Soy] RAPESEED OIL: [Rapeseed Oil, Antifoaming Agent (E900)]. SPICY KOREAN SAUCE: Water: Sweet Chilli Sauce: [Sugar, Water, Pickled Red Chilli, Vinegar, Garlic, Salt, Xantham Gum] Gochujang Spicy Red Pepper Paste: (20%) [Corn Syrup, Red Pepper Paste (Red Pepper Powder, Water, Salt, Onion, Garlic, Corn Starch), Water, Wheat Flour, Rice Powder, Wheat, Salt, Distilled Alcohol (Contains Wheat, Barley), Soybean, Soybean Powder, Glutinous Rice, Koji.] Sunflower Oil: [100% Sunflower Seed Oil]. Soy Sauce: [Water, Soy Beans, Wheat, Salt, Alcohol]. Potato Flour: [Potato Starch].
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.