Truelabel

Fusilli Pomodoro with Grilled Chicken

by Hormel

A processed meal with decent protein content but relying heavily on preservatives and refined ingredients. The multiple antimicrobial systems and added sugars drag down an otherwise straightforward pasta dish.

  • Boneless chicken breast with rib meat – beneficial · High-quality protein source providing essential amino acids and nutrients
  • Water – safe · Used for cooking and moisture retention in processed chicken
  • Potato starch – safe · Natural thickener that helps bind moisture in chicken preparation
  • Sea salt – safe · Natural seasoning and preservation aid, better than refined table salt
  • Chicken broth – beneficial · Natural flavor enhancer that adds depth and nutrients
  • Evaporated cane syrup – controversial · Added sugar that contributes to blood sugar spikes and overall sugar load
  • Garlic powder – beneficial · Provides antioxidants and antimicrobial properties
  • Onion powder – beneficial · Contains quercetin and other beneficial compounds
  • Gum arabic – safe · Natural fiber-based thickener from acacia trees, generally well-tolerated
  • Natural smoke flavor – controversial · May contain compounds associated with increased cancer risk when consumed regularly
  • Sunflower oil – controversial · High omega-6 oil that can promote inflammation when consumed in excess
  • Citric acid – safe · Natural preservative and flavor enhancer, helps maintain freshness
  • Tomato puree – beneficial · Rich in lycopene and vitamins, provides antioxidant benefits
  • Calcium chloride – safe · Helps maintain tomato firmness and provides calcium
  • Enriched wheat flour – controversial · Refined grain with added synthetic vitamins, lacks fiber and nutrients of whole grains
  • Ferrous sulfate – safe · Iron fortification to replace nutrients lost in processing
  • B vitamins – beneficial · Essential vitamins added back after processing removes natural nutrients
  • Butter – beneficial · Natural dairy fat that provides flavor and fat-soluble vitamins
  • Sugar – controversial · Refined sugar that adds empty calories and can spike blood glucose
  • Modified cornstarch – controversial · Chemically altered starch that may cause digestive issues in sensitive individuals
  • Basil – beneficial · Herb rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds
  • Maltodextrin – controversial · Highly processed carbohydrate that can spike blood sugar more than table sugar
  • Cultured dextrose – safe · Natural preservative produced by fermentation
  • Sodium diacetate – safe · Antimicrobial agent that helps prevent spoilage
  • Egg white lysozyme – safe · Natural enzyme with antimicrobial properties, but may trigger egg allergies
  • Nisin preparation – safe · Natural antimicrobial peptide produced by bacteria, FDA-approved preservative
  • Soybean oil – controversial · High omega-6 oil that can promote inflammation and is often highly processed
  • Potassium sorbate – safe · Widely used preservative with low toxicity profile
  • Sodium benzoate – controversial · May form benzene when combined with vitamin C, potential carcinogen in certain conditions

Real chicken protein

Tomato lycopene

B-vitamin fortification

Multiple preservatives

Added sugars

Seed oils

Ultra-processed