Pepperoni Pizza
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
Salt per 100g
1.58g
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 (11)
This label lists 6 thickeners and gelling agents, 2 acidity regulators, 1 antioxidant, 1 flour treatment agent and 1 additive.
E407
Carrageenan
Thickener and stabiliser
What it is. A gel forming fibre extracted from red seaweed.
Why it is used. Thickens dairy, plant milks, desserts and some processed meats.
What the evidence says. Food grade carrageenan is permitted. A degraded form called poligeenan is harmful, but that is not what goes into food. Some lab and animal work links carrageenan to gut inflammation, which keeps it under review, but human evidence is limited and mixed.
Permitted, including in organic food in many places, though a few specialist products avoid it as a precaution.
Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E407
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
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
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
- E270 Lactic acid acidity regulator
- E406 Agar thickener
- E410 Locust bean gum thickener
- E425 Konjac thickener
- E461 Methyl cellulose thickener
- E509 Calcium chloride other
- E920 L-cysteine flour treatment 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
Dough (61%) (Wheat Flour, Water, Durum Wheat Semolina, Sourdough Mixture (Dehydrated Wheat Sourdough, Yeast, Antioxidant (E300), Enzymes), Salt, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Flour Enhancer (Wheat Starch, Flour Treatment Agent (E300, E920), Dried Barley Malt Extract), Tomato Sauce (Tomato Pulp, Salt, Dried Herbs (Oregano, Basil)), Vegan Alternative to Mozzarella (6%) (Water, Coconut Oil, Starch, Modified Starch, Sea Salt, Natural Flavouring, Olive Extract, Colour (Carotenes) Vitamin B12), Jackfruit Pepperoni (7%) (Water, Sunflower Oil, Jackfruit (11%), Plant Proteins (Pea, Faba Bean), Thickeners (E410, E415, E407,E425, E461), Dried Glucose Syrup, Salt, Spices, Vegetable Concentrates (Sweet Potato, Carrot), Acidity Regulators (E330, E270), Tapioca Starch, Natural Flavourings, Garlic Powder, Yeast Extract, Onion Powder, Gelling Agent (E406), Smoked Salt, Potato Maltodextrin, Flax Seed Flour, Spice Extracts (Paprika, Fennel)), Green Jalapeño Peppers (6%) (Jalapeño Peppers, Water, Vinegar, Salt, Firming Agent (E509)), Hot Red Jalapeño Peppers (2%) (Red Jalapeño Pepper Slices, Sunflower Oil, Water, Salt, Acidity Regulator (E330), Antioxidants (E300, E509)).
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.