Vietnamese Beef Pho

Why it's rated this way

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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)Minor 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.

5. Disodium guanylateMinor concernRibonucleotide flavour enhancer typically used together with monosodium glutamate (E621); may contribute to symptoms reported by glutamate-sensitive individuals.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Ribonucleotide flavour enhancer typically used together with monosodium glutamate (E621); may contribute to symptoms reported by glutamate-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.

6. Disodium inosinateMinor concernRibonucleotide flavour enhancer typically used together with monosodium glutamate (E621); may contribute to symptoms reported by glutamate-sensitive individuals.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Ribonucleotide flavour enhancer typically used together with monosodium glutamate (E621); may contribute to symptoms reported by glutamate-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.

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