doughnuts
Unknown brand
Processing
4
Ultra-processed
Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale
Additives listed
13
0 we grade moderate or higher
10 of them not yet assessed here
Nutrients
–
Nothing above the low band
Or no figures recorded at all
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 5 colours, 3 emulsifiers, 2 raising agents, 1 acidity regulator, 1 antioxidant and 1 thickener or gelling agent.
E471
Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids
Emulsifier
What it is. Fat derived emulsifiers, closely related to ordinary dietary fats.
Why it is used. One of the most used additives in food: bread, margarine, ice cream, cakes and sauces.
What the evidence says. The body handles these much as it handles other fats, and EFSA's re-evaluation raised no safety concern at the levels used. They sit in the same broad emulsifier and gut microbiome research question as the others, which remains unsettled.
Permitted without a numerical limit. The fat source is not always stated, which matters for some diets rather than for safety.
Assessed against EFSA. Full entry for E471
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
E322
Lecithin
Emulsifier
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.
Permitted freely. Source allergen must be declared.
Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E322
Also on the label, not assessed here yet
- E140 Chlorophylls and chlorophyllins colour
- E160C Paprika extract, capsanthin colour
- E161B Lutein colour
- E162 Beetroot red, betanin colour
- E163 Anthocyanins colour
- E341 Calcium phosphates raising agent
- E414 Acacia gum (gum arabic) thickener
- E450 Diphosphates raising agent
- E481 Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate emulsifier
- E501 Potassium carbonates acidity regulator
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
wheat flour, vegetable oils (palm, coconut, rapeseed, palm kernel), water, sugar, icing sugar, dextrose, yeast, cornstarch, emulsifiers (mono - and diglycerides of fatty acids - vegetable, sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate, lecithins (rapeseed), lecithins (sunflower)), raising agents (potassium carbonate, dicalcium diphosphate, monocalcium phosphate), skimmed milk powder, salt, soya flour, colours (anthocyanins, beetroot red, chlorophylls and chlorophyllins, paprika extract, lutein), spirulina extract, flavouring (milk), flour treatment agent (ascorbic acid), glazing agent (acacia gum), maize protein, , 1
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.