Tesco Finest Horseradish Sauce — ENGINEERED

Munch or Dump rates Tesco Finest Horseradish Sauce by TESCO finest ENGINEERED — score 30/90.

A premium-branded condiment that's mostly refined rapeseed oil, water and vinegar with added sugar, a stabiliser and two preservatives. Real horseradish and cream are there, but the formula is clearly factory-built.

Why this verdict

• Refined rapeseed oil is the #2 ingredient, ahead of the cream
• Added sugar plus xanthan gum stabiliser to hold the emulsion together
• Two preservatives, including sulphites (sodium metabisulphite)
• Marketed on 'double cream' that's only 3-4% of the jar

Ingredients (14)

• Grated horseradish (26-28%) (safe) — The real star and the only genuine whole-food component; pungent root, no health downside.
• rapeseed oil (safe) — A source of healthy fats and often used in cooking.
• Spirit Vinegar (safe) — Adds tang and helps preserve; negligible health impact.
• Sugar (moderate) — Added for sweetness, can contribute to calorie content.
• Double cream (milk, 3-4%) (safe) — The 'premium' selling point, but present in tiny amounts.
• lemon juice from concentrate (safe) — Acidity and brightness from real lemon; harmless.
• Dried egg (safe) — Emulsifier/binder; a processing aid, harmless to eat.
• Salt (moderate) — Used in moderation, might exceed necessary amount.
• Dried Skimmed Milk (safe) — Adds body and dairy notes cheaply; processed but benign.
• mustard flour (safe) — Spice for flavor and emulsification; benign.
• Stabiliser (Xanthan Gum) (moderate) — Industrial gum for texture; ultra-processing marker.
• Horseradish Powder (safe) — Boosts the horseradish punch cheaply.
• Potassium sorbate (preservative) (moderate) — Anti-mould preservative; generally recognised safe but its presence signals a long-shelf-life processed product.
• Sodium metabisulphite (preservative) (moderate) — Sulphite preservative — can trigger reactions in sensitive/asthmatic people.