Greek Orange cake with syrup (Portokalopita)
Terkenlis
Processing
4
Ultra-processed
Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale
Additives listed
13
0 we grade moderate or higher
9 of them not yet assessed here
Sugars per 100g
48.30g
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 (13)
This label lists 4 emulsifiers, 2 acidity regulators, 2 colours, 2 raising agents, 1 additive, 1 preservative and 1 thickener or gelling 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
E160A
Carotenes
Yellow to orange colour
What it is. The orange pigments found in carrots and other vegetables, either extracted or made synthetically.
Why it is used. Colours margarine, soft drinks, dairy, and sweets.
What the evidence says. The same compound the body turns into vitamin A, and safe at the levels used in food. High dose beta-carotene supplements have been linked to harm in smokers, but those doses are far above anything a colour in food delivers, and conflating the two is a common mistake.
Permitted. The supplement findings apply to concentrated doses, not to food colouring.
Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E160A
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
- E160C Paprika extract, capsanthin colour
- E331 Sodium citrates acidity regulator
- E450 Diphosphates raising agent
- E472B Lactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides emulsifier
- E472E Mono- and diacetyltartaric acid esters (DATEM) emulsifier
- E475 Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids emulsifier
- E481 Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate emulsifier
- E500 Sodium carbonates raising agent
- E516 Calcium sulphate 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
Cake mixture (sugar, WHEAT, flour, WHEAT starch, vegetable oil (palm oil), modified starch, WHEY powder, raising agent (E450, E500), emulsifier E481, E472e, E472b, E475, salt, flavouring, thickener (E415), glucose syrup, skim MILK powder), Sugar, water, orange cream 12 % (sugar, water, glucose-fructose syrup, sweetened condensed skimmed MILK modified corn starch, rehydrated orange juice 3.5%, cocoa butter, acidity regulator (E330-E331), flavorings, preservative (E202), emulsifier (E472e), colours (B-carotene, paprika extract, E516)], orange 9%, glucose syrup. sunflower oil, EGGS, orange zest 0,4 %, preservative potassium sorbate, acidity regulator citric acid, flavoring vandlin.
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.