Quick quiz
Are these Skinns potato chips failsafe?
Here's the boast, the "Chip with nothing to hide"
Front of pack claims: Ingredients list: Potatoes, Maize Polenta, Seasoning [Sugar, Maltodextrin, Salt, Acidity Regulators (262, 330), Flavour (Natural), Yeast Extract, Tomato powder, Hydrolysed Vegetable Protein, Spices, Vegetable Powder, Anti-caking Agent (551), Vegetable Oils, Flavour Enhancer (635)], Sunflower Oil, Emulsifier 471, Flavour Answer: No, it hides MSG as yeast extract and hydrolysed vegetable protein and it contains flavour enhancer 635 to boost the effects of MSG 10-15 times. It also contains tomato powder which is a concentrated form of salicylates and amines for those who are sensitive to them. More information about MSG, flavour enhancer 635 and more label shenanigans at http://fedup.com.au/information/fin-campaigns/product-of-the-year
What's wrong with this label from a food intolerance point of view?
ANSWER: You would need a degree in food technology to recognise that the ingredient "cultured dextrose" is probably the bread preservative calcium propionate 282 or some other form of propionate. Preservatives are required by law to be shown on the label, but this one is particularly misleading if you are trying to avoid preservatives. "Cultured wheat" is another way for food manufacturers to hide the preservatives that consumers don't want.
What is cultured dextrose? WIKI
This is a tough one, as a biologist I can say that the name "cultured dextrose" doesn't really specify what is within. Alcohol could be cultured dextrose, as could penicillin. This is one of those industry vernacular phrases, virtually designed to mask the actual nature of the ingredients. Not to say it is harmful, but without industrial access to msds and other proprietary info about cultured dextrose products like Microguard. I have faced this in my career where I have basically had to threaten the company with discontinuing use of their product if they didn't disclose more. I have read a couple of descriptions that say "various peptides and metabolites"- that could be anything under the sun grown via bacteria or yeast (or even chinese hamster ovary cells), and I would worry about people that have food allergies.
Possibly a far better alternative to the nasty BHA and BHT like chemicals we usually get, but I wish they would spill the beans on my hummus.
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_cultured_dextrose#ixzz1KrlTzLP6
What is cultured dextrose? YAHOO
Cultured dextrose helps control the outgrowth of pathogens and spoilage organisms in refrigerated meals. It can replace chemical preservatives like sorbates and benzoates for a clean label, and is particularly effective against Lactobacilli, yeast, molds, Listeria monocytogenes and heat-resistant spore formers.
When MicroGARD is added as an ingredient to a food, the common name "cultured skim milk", "fermented skim milk", "cultured dextrose" or "fermented dextrose", as applicable, is required to be declared in the list of ingredients on the final food.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20101020110757AAj1yBE
What is MicroGARD?
MicroGARD® Fermentates
- A patented natural, clean-label range for shelf life protection
Key benefits
- Protect shelf life
- Maintain the organoleptic qualities of food
- Meet consumers' demand for natural products
- Organic products also available in this range
http://www.danisco.com/wps/wcm/connect/www/corporate/products/product_range/antimicrobials/microgard
And here's another using "cultured dextrose", which may not only be misleading, it may be an outright lie given the claim on the packet about "no artificial preservatives".
Look out for "cultured wheat" too, which is another way to hide preservatives.