Smith & Jones Ginger Garlic Paste — BULLSHIT

Name: Smith & Jones Ginger Garlic Paste
Brand: Smith and Jones

Munch or Dump rates Smith & Jones Ginger Garlic Paste by Smith and Jones BULLSHIT — score 0/90.

Sold as a 'fresh & natural' paste, but it's preserved with sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate plus a thickener and acidity regulators — the 'natural' story doesn't match the jar.

Why this verdict

Marketed 'fresh & natural / no preservatives' but contains sodium benzoate (E211) and potassium sorbate (E202)
Added thickener (xanthan gum, E415) and two acidity regulators — not the 'pure fresh paste' the label implies
Real ginger and garlic are the base, but the formula is shelf-stabilized, not fresh
Sodium benzoate can form trace benzene when combined with acids/citric acid — worth noting given the acidity regulators present

Ingredients (8)

Water (safe) — First ingredient by weight; this pudding is mostly water, not milk.
ginger (safe) — Real pickled ginger root — the actual food here, with some digestive and anti-inflammatory upside.
GARLIC (safe) — Whole garlic, flavor and minor health benefits.
Iodised Salt (safe) — Adds sodium and iodine; fine in moderation.
Acidity regulators (E260 acetic acid, E330 citric acid) (moderate) — pH control to keep it shelf-stable; harmless alone but signals industrial processing, and citric acid plus benzoate is the combo that can trace-form benzene.
Thickener (E415 xanthan gum) (moderate) — Stabilizer that holds the paste together; not 'natural fresh paste' texture.
Preservative (E211 sodium benzoate) (moderate) — Can form trace benzene with vitamin C and is associated with hyperactivity in children.
Preservative E202 (potassium sorbate) (moderate) — A synthetic preservative — directly contradicting the 'no preservatives' claim on the pack.

Healthier alternatives

Bambind Ginger Garlic Paste