Sodium benzoatePreservative; can form trace benzene (a carcinogen) when combined with ascorbic acid; implicated in child hyperactivity studies.
Sodium phosphatesInorganic phosphate additives are highly bioavailable; high additive-phosphate intake is associated with increased cardiovascular and kidney burden, particularly in chronic kidney disease.
Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)Synthetic emulsifier linked in animal and in-vitro studies to gut-microbiome disruption and intestinal inflammation; human evidence is emerging.
SaccharinSweetener; historical bladder-tumour finding shown to be rat-specific and not relevant to humans.
Why this band?
How the nutrition, processing, and additive signals combine into the overall food-health band.
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Overall food-health bandFood healthHigh
Processing
nova 4
AdditivesModerate
4 flagged additive(s), worst MODERATE
1no nutri-score — nutrition contributes the lowest band
2MODERATE-concern additive floors band at "moderate"
3ultra-processed (NOVA 4) worsens band by one
4final band "high" (health-blend-v1)
Flagged additives
Sodium benzoate — Preservative; can form trace benzene (a carcinogen) when combined with ascorbic acid; implicated in child hyperactivity studies.
Sodium phosphates — Inorganic phosphate additives are highly bioavailable; high additive-phosphate intake is associated with increased cardiovascular and kidney burden, particularly in chronic kidney disease.
Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) — Synthetic emulsifier linked in animal and in-vitro studies to gut-microbiome disruption and intestinal inflammation; human evidence is emerging.
Saccharin — Sweetener; historical bladder-tumour finding shown to be rat-specific and not relevant to humans.
blend health-blend-v1
Per-ingredient concern · chemical identity, not food safety
