Kallo Organic Vegetable Stock Cubes — OKAY

Munch or Dump rates Kallo Organic Vegetable Stock Cubes by kallø OKAY — score 62/90.

It's basically an organic salt cube. Sea salt is the #1 ingredient and actual vegetables are only 6.8%, but there are no artificial additives, so it lands in the middle as a small-use seasoning.

Why this verdict

• No artificial colours, flavours, preservatives or added MSG
• Certified organic and a short, recognizable list
• But sea salt is the #1 ingredient - very high sodium
• Actual vegetables are only 6.8%; palm oil and sugar rank higher
• Two sugar sources (sugar + caramelised sugar) and two refined oils

Ingredients (9)

• Sea Salt (moderate) — Sodium source; no nutritional edge over regular salt.
• potato starch (safe) — Anti-caking agent to keep shreds separate.
• Sustainable Palm Oil (moderate) — Added to keep the spread smooth and stop oil separation. High in saturated fat and a refined oil, so it is the least-ideal thing here, but it is a small amount.
• Sugar (moderate) — Added for sweetness, can contribute to calorie content.
• Vegetables (celery, onion, parsnip, tomato) (safe) — The 'vegetable' part - but only 6.8% of the cube, so more flavour note than nutrition.
• Sunflower Oil (moderate) — Refined seed oil; fine in the modest amounts used here.
• YEAST EXTRACT (moderate) — A hidden source of free glutamate, stacked with MSG for umami.
• caramelised sugar (moderate) — Used in tiny amounts for colour rather than sweetness; minor added sugar.
• Herbs and spices (lovage, turmeric, parsley, black pepper) (safe) — Real herbs and spices for flavour; harmless and a small positive.