Food Label Detective: Star Snacks Smoked Almonds

Credit:The Health-nut corner

The ingredient list of this product is quite interesting. It starts out with almonds being first on the ingredients list, which is good. The almonds are prepared in oil that does not appear to be hydrogenated, this is also good. The remaining ingredients are mono-sodium glutamate (MSG) based flavour enhancers - torula yeast, hydrolyzed soy protein, disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate except for the silicon dioxide. A total of seven flavour enhancers, including salt and onion powder are contained in this product.

It should be noted, this product may not be suitable for vegetarians or vegans or persons with a fish allergy or who have religious dietary restrictions, seeing that disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate are commonly produced from an animal (meat or fish) or a plant source. However, unless the manufacture states  the source on the food label, use your judgement on whether the product should be consumed or not.

In terms of the nutritional information the sodium content is low while the total fat, saturated fat and protein contents are high. A high saturated fat is not unusual, however displaying the mono and/or poly-unsaturated fat contents in grams would be a recommended improvement on this label. Displaying the heart-healthy fats, almonds are known for may re-assure the consumer that not all fats are 'bad'. Having the serving size listed in weight and by count is somewhat more practical for the average consumer because 3 tablespoons of almonds does not make sense compared to 20-22 kernels (28 grams).

Bottom-line: Consume this product at your own risk, avoid if you have an allergy to or intolerant to MSG. 

ALSO PRESENT ON THE LABEL:
① ALLERGY INFORMATION:
 Made in a facility that uses milk, egg, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, sulphites, and sesame products.
② PEANUTS FROM: USA and or Argentina and or Mexico

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