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 (moderate) — Refined seed oil; fine in small amounts as used here.
• Spirit Vinegar (safe) — Simple fermented acid for tang and preservation.
• Sugar (moderate) — Added sugar sitting ahead of cocoa; the main flavor driver here.
• Double cream (milk, 3-4%) (safe) — The 'premium' selling point, but present in tiny amounts.
• lemon juice from concentrate (safe) — Natural acid for tartness and to help the pectin set. Harmless.
• Dried egg (safe) — Emulsifier/binder; a processing aid, harmless to eat.
• Salt (moderate) — Ready meals tend to run salt-heavy; watch the sodium.
• Dried Skimmed Milk (safe) — Adds body and dairy notes cheaply; processed but benign.
• mustard flour (safe) — Adds bite and emulsifying help; a labeled allergen.
• Stabiliser (Xanthan Gum) (moderate) — Thickener that stops the oil and water separating; a clear processed-food marker.
• Horseradish Powder (safe) — Boosts the horseradish punch cheaply.
• Potassium sorbate (preservative) (moderate) — A common, generally-safe preservative to stop spoilage; minor and well-tolerated.
• Sodium metabisulphite (preservative) (moderate) — Sulphite preservative — can trigger reactions in sensitive/asthmatic people.