Hartson's

Why it's rated this way

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

1. TartrazineHigh concernSouthampton study link to hyperactivity/attention effects in children; can trigger reactions in sensitive individuals.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Southampton study link to hyperactivity/attention effects in children; can trigger reactions in sensitive individuals.

   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. Sulphite ammonia caramelModerate concernCaramel colour class IV (cola colour); may contain 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI).

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Caramel colour class IV (cola colour); may contain 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI).

   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. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)Moderate concernAntioxidant; animal-study tumour/endocrine signals; structurally related to BHA.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Antioxidant; animal-study tumour/endocrine signals; structurally related to BHA.

   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. Monosodium glutamate (MSG)Moderate concernFlavour enhancer; self-reported intolerance ('MSG symptom complex'); EFSA flagged exposure above the group ADI.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Flavour enhancer; self-reported intolerance ('MSG symptom complex'); EFSA flagged exposure above the group ADI.

   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.

6. SucraloseModerate concernSweetener; emerging genotoxicity concern around the impurity/metabolite sucralose-6-acetate.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Sweetener; emerging genotoxicity concern around the impurity/metabolite sucralose-6-acetate.

   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.

7. Polysorbate 80Minor concernSynthetic emulsifier linked in animal and in-vitro studies to gut-microbiome disruption and intestinal inflammation; human evidence is emerging.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Synthetic emulsifier linked in animal and in-vitro studies to gut-microbiome disruption and intestinal inflammation; human evidence is emerging.

   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.