Roasted Garlic & Chili Aioli — TREAT

Munch or Dump rates Roasted Garlic & Chili Aioli by Culinary Treasures TREAT — score 45/90.

It's essentially flavored mayo: refined canola oil and egg yolk first, with a touch of olive oil for the label. Fine as an occasional condiment, but it's mostly fat plus a couple of synthetic preservatives.

Why this verdict

• Refined canola oil is the #1 ingredient — olive oil is a minor add for label appeal
• 11g fat and 100 calories per tablespoon, almost entirely from oil
• Carries added sugar plus potassium sorbate and calcium disodium EDTA as preservatives
• Genuinely tasty, simple flavor base of garlic, chili and lime — but it's a condiment, not a food

Ingredients (14)

• CANOLA OIL (moderate) — Refined vegetable oil.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil (safe) — Cold-pressed olive oil, rich in monounsaturated fat and polyphenols. A staple culinary fat, not a food to eat by the spoonful.
• olive oil (safe) — A real culinary fat, not a refined seed oil.
• egg yolk (safe) — Natural emulsifier binding the fat and water.
• Red chilis (safe) — Real chili for heat and flavor.
• Garlic and roasted garlic (safe) — Real garlic, the flavor backbone of the sauce.
• vinegar (safe) — Mild preservative and flavor enhancer.
• Sugar (moderate) — Added for sweetness, can contribute to calorie content.
• Salt (moderate) — Used in moderation, might exceed necessary amount.
• Lime Juice Concentrate (safe) — Concentrated real lime juice for acidity and to slow browning.
• ACETIC ACID (safe) — Vinegar acidulant for tang and shelf stability.
• citric acid (safe) — Acidity and tartness adjuster.
• Potassium Sorbate (moderate) — Preservative for shelf life.
• calcium disodium edta (moderate) — Preservative that binds metals to protect quality; a processed-food additive but used in tiny amounts.