Hawaiian Style Barbecue Sauce Sweet & Sour
by Island Delight
A moderately processed barbecue sauce with high sugar content and some concerning additives like caramel color and hydrolyzed soy protein. While free from seed oils, the sugar load and processing chemicals make this better for occasional use rather than regular consumption.
- Tomato Puree – beneficial · Water and tomato paste combination providing lycopene and natural umami flavor with beneficial antioxidant properties.
- Water – safe · Standard diluting agent with no health concerns.
- Tomato Paste – beneficial · Concentrated tomato source rich in lycopene, an antioxidant linked to heart health and cancer prevention.
- Sugar – controversial · Listed as second ingredient indicating high content, contributing to blood sugar spikes and inflammation when consumed regularly.
- Distilled Vinegar – safe · Acetic acid providing tartness and some antimicrobial properties with minimal health concerns.
- Salt – safe · Standard flavor enhancer, though contributes to overall sodium load in processed foods.
- Prepared Mustard – safe · Traditional condiment blend providing tangy flavor with minimal processing concerns.
- Mustard Seed – beneficial · Natural spice with anti-inflammatory compounds and digestive benefits.
- Mustard Bran – safe · Natural fiber source from mustard processing with neutral health impact.
- Spices – safe · Generic term for natural seasonings, generally beneficial but lacks transparency.
- Turmeric – beneficial · Anti-inflammatory spice containing curcumin with documented health benefits.
- Guar Gum – safe · Natural thickener from legumes that may provide prebiotic benefits in small amounts.
- Natural Hickory Smoke Flavor – safe · Wood smoke extract providing authentic barbecue flavor without the carcinogens of direct smoking.
- Dehydrated Onion – safe · Dried onion providing sulfur compounds with potential cardiovascular benefits.
- Dehydrated Garlic – beneficial · Concentrated garlic with antimicrobial and cardiovascular protective compounds.
- Hydrolyzed Soy Protein – controversial · Processed protein that naturally contains glutamate (MSG-like effects) and may cause sensitivity reactions in some individuals.
- Caramel Color – controversial · Class IV caramel color may contain 4-methylimidazole, a compound linked to cancer risk in animal studies.
- Natural Flavorings – safe · Unspecified natural flavor compounds, generally safe but lack transparency in sourcing.
No seed oils
Tomato base provides lycopene
Contains anti-inflammatory turmeric
Natural smoke flavor instead of artificial
High sugar content as second ingredient
Caramel color with potential carcinogen
Hydrolyzed soy protein (MSG-like effects)
Ultra-processed classification
About This Analysis
This ingredient analysis for Hawaiian Style Barbecue Sauce Sweet & Sour was performed by Truelabel, an AI-powered food scanner that grades products from A (excellent) to F (failing) based on ingredient quality. The analysis covers seed oil content, ultra-processed ingredients, preservatives, artificial colors, allergens, and potential health risks including cancer risk, hormonal disruption, and gut irritation scores.
Category: Sauces