ACT II Instant Popcorn Tomato Chilli — ENGINEERED

Munch or Dump rates ACT II Instant Popcorn Tomato Chilli by ACT II ENGINEERED — score 30/90.

Whole-grain corn buried under a lab-built seasoning: yeast extract and hydrolysed vegetable protein for that addictive savory hit, maltodextrin, sugar, and 'nature identical' (read: synthetic) flavouring.

Why this verdict

• Yeast extract + hydrolysed vegetable protein = a free-glutamate flavour-enhancer stack engineered to make you keep eating
• Maltodextrin and sugar add fast carbs and refined starch to an already snack-heavy base
• Flavour is 'nature identical' — synthesized in a lab, not from real tomato or chilli
• Fried in refined palmolein oil, high in saturated fat
• Officially NOVA 4 ultra-processed

Ingredients (12)

• Popping Corn (safe) — A genuine whole grain — the one real, fiber-containing food in the pack.
• Refined Edible Palmolein Oil (moderate) — Refined palm oil, high in saturated fat; heavily processed cooking medium.
• Iodised Salt (moderate) — Sodium adds up fast in seasoned snacks; iodisation is a plus.
• Dehydrated Vegetables (Tomato, Onion, Garlic Powder) (safe) — Real vegetable powders for flavour, present in tiny amounts.
• chilli powder (safe) — A real spice; fine in small quantity.
• Sugar (concerning) — Second ingredient and the dominant nutritional driver; added sugar in liquid form spikes blood glucose and adds empty calories.
• Yeast extract powder (moderate) — A glutamate-rich flavour enhancer — MSG by another name, used to make the snack moreish.
• Stabilizer (Hydrolysed Vegetable Protein) (moderate) — Another free-glutamate savory enhancer; stacking it with yeast extract is the engineered-craving signature.
• Maltodextrin (concerning) — Ultra-processed filler/bulking agent with a high glycemic spike, classic NOVA 4 marker.
• Acidity Regulator (citric acid) (safe) — Common, low-concern acidulant for tang.
• Anticaking Agent (Silicon Dioxide) (moderate) — Keeps the powder free-flowing; a processing additive, not food.
• Nature Identical Flavouring Substances (concerning) — Lab-synthesized flavour molecules — the 'tomato chilli' is engineered, not real.