Kolhapuri Thecha — OKAY

Munch or Dump rates Kolhapuri Thecha by Pravin OKAY — score 60/90.

A mostly clean chilli-garlic paste built on real garlic, chilli and lime, dragged down by a synthetic preservative and refined cottonseed oil.

Why this verdict

• Real garlic, red chilli, lime juice and cumin form the base
• No added sugar, sweeteners, emulsifiers or artificial colours
• Contains sodium benzoate (E211), a synthetic preservative
• Uses refined cottonseed oil rather than a whole-food oil
• Short 9-ingredient list, but two are industrial additives

Ingredients (9)

• Water (safe) — Added back as a filler/texture agent; harmless but dilutes.
• GARLIC (safe) — A whole aromatic, purely flavor and beneficial compounds.
• Red Chilli (18%) (safe) — Whole spice; capsaicin, no processing concerns.
• Iodised Salt (safe) — Small amount for flavor balance; iodine is beneficial.
• Cotton Seed Oil (moderate) — Refined seed oil, high in omega-6; a cheap industrial fat rather than a whole-food oil.
• Lime Juice (safe) — Natural acidifier and flavour; fine.
• cumin (safe) — Whole spice; recognizable and benign.
• Acidity Regulator - Acetic Acid (E260) (safe) — Basically vinegar; a mild added acidifier, low concern.
• Preservative - Sodium Benzoate (E211) (moderate) — Synthetic preservative; generally recognized as safe but it is an artificial additive that undercuts any 'natural' claim.