Knorr Schezwan Sauce — BULLSHIT

Munch or Dump rates Knorr Schezwan Sauce by Knorr BULLSHIT — score 0/90.

Sold as 'made from real vegetables, no added flavour enhancers, no artificial colours, no preservatives' — but the label lists flavour enhancers E627 + E631, a preservative, and two stabilisers. The marketing directly contradicts what's in the jar.

Why this verdict

• Marketed 'without added flavour enhancers' but contains E627 + E631
• Marketed 'without preservatives' but contains E211 (sodium benzoate)
• Flavour-enhancer stack (guanylate + inosinate) engineers craving
• Sugar and refined soybean oil are top ingredients after water and vegetables
• Two stabilisers plus preservative = ultra-processed (NOVA 4)

Ingredients (15)

• Water (safe) — Added back as a filler/texture agent; harmless but dilutes.
• Vegetables (garlic, onion) (safe) — Real garlic and onion, but present in small amounts (garlic ~9%, onion ~1%).
• Sugar (concerning) — Added sugar, third by weight, feeds yeast and adds sweetness with no nutritional benefit.
• Soyabean oil (moderate) — Refined seed oil added for mouthfeel, not needed in a tomato sauce.
• Iodised Salt (safe) — Small amount for flavor balance; iodine is beneficial.
• Chillies (4.4%) (safe) — Real chilli providing the heat; a genuine ingredient.
• Soybean Sauce (moderate) — Fermented soy for umami, but adds more sodium.
• Acidity Regulator (E260, acetic acid) (safe) — Vinegar acid for tang and shelf pH; benign.
• Stabiliser E1422 (acetylated distarch adipate) (moderate) — Chemically modified starch used to thicken and stabilise; a hallmark of ultra-processing.
• Stabiliser: E415 (xanthan gum) (moderate) — Industrial thickener stacked on top of the modified starch.
• Flavour Enhancer E627 (Disodium Guanylate) (concerning) — Half of the MSG-booster duo; engineered to amplify savory craving.
• Flavour Enhancer E631 (Disodium Inosinate) (concerning) — Pairs with E627 to synergistically boost umami — pure palatability engineering.
• Natural Colour E150d (caramel colour) (moderate) — Sulphite-ammonia caramel colour for the dark look; cosmetic additive.
• Preservative (E211 sodium benzoate) (concerning) — Synthetic preservative; can form benzene with vitamin C and is a common additive to limit.
• Natural Flavouring Substance (moderate) — Vague 'flavouring' — undisclosed additive to prop up taste.