Ham & swiss with spicy mustard on marbled rye bread

Why it's rated this way

5 additives on this label are on our additives-of-concern list.

1. Sodium nitriteHigh concernForms carcinogenic nitrosamines in cured/processed meat; processed meat classified IARC Group 1.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Forms carcinogenic nitrosamines in cured/processed meat; processed meat classified IARC Group 1.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

2. Ammonia caramelModerate concernCaramel colour class III; may contain 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), an animal carcinogen.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Caramel colour class III; may contain 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), an animal carcinogen.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

3. Sodium benzoateModerate concernPreservative; can form trace benzene (a carcinogen) when combined with ascorbic acid; implicated in child hyperactivity studies.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Preservative; can form trace benzene (a carcinogen) when combined with ascorbic acid; implicated in child hyperactivity studies.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

4. Calcium propionateMinor concernPropionate preservatives have been associated in limited studies with behavioural/irritability effects in children and with migraine in sensitive individuals; evidence is weak.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Propionate preservatives have been associated in limited studies with behavioural/irritability effects in children and with migraine in sensitive individuals; evidence is weak.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

5. Calcium phosphatesMinor concernInorganic phosphate additives are highly bioavailable; high additive-phosphate intake is associated with increased cardiovascular and kidney burden, particularly in chronic kidney disease.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Inorganic phosphate additives are highly bioavailable; high additive-phosphate intake is associated with increased cardiovascular and kidney burden, particularly in chronic kidney disease.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

A food's rating also reflects nutrition (Nutri-Score) and processing (NOVA); the additives above are the ingredient-level part of it.