GoodSwap Get notified
Molina Mexican Vanilla Blend
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Condiments

Molina Mexican Vanilla Blend

8.3 fl oz/250 mL

Okay out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • Contains artificial flavors
  • No synthetic dyes
Get GoodSwap

Why it scores 51

Molina Mexican Vanilla Blend scores 51 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Caramel color: The FDA says classes III and IV, which can contain 4-MEI, are the most commonly used food color additives by volume. Regulatory
  2. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  3. 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavoring and humectant. Emerging

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

The Receipt

Mexican Vanilla Blend

START100

Ingredients

  • Caramel color
    Regulatory The FDA says classes III and IV, which can contain 4-MEI, are the most commonly used food color additives by volume. [1][2][3][4]
  • Alcohol (ethanol)
    Regulatory IARC classifies alcoholic beverages as Group 1; the small amounts used as a solvent in flavorings are not comparable with drinking. [2][5]
  • Propylene glycol
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [6]
  • Artificial flavors
    Strong US dietary guidelines advise limiting foods with artificial flavors. [7][8]
  • Potassium sorbate
    Strong EFSA (2019) set a group ADI of 11 mg/kg body weight (as sorbic acid); generally recognized as safe in the US. [9][10]
subtotal−28

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [6]
  • 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavoring and humectant. [6]
subtotal−21
TOTAL 51Okay

100 − 49 = 51

Can’t score above 79. Contains caramel color, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3][4]

GTIN 00040811070502 · 2026-08-05

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy0 kcal
Fat0 g
Saturated fat0 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates0 g
Sugars0 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber0 g
Protein0 g
Salt0 g

Serving: 0.5 serving (2.5 g)

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.
Label text, as published

WATER, 1.8% ETHYL ALCOHOL, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, VANILLIN, PURE VANILLA EXTRACT, CARAMEL COLOR, ETHYL VANILLIN, POTASSIUM SORBATE (AS PRESERVATIVE), POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE (ACIDITY REGULATOR).

Allergens and diets

  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Gluten-free
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Packaging

Pp 5 polypropylene, Pet 1 polyethylene terephthalate

Context only: no points in v1.

Healthiest condiments in the US

Sources

  1. Questions & Answers About 4-MEI

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Mar 27, 2020 · Regulator

    “Based on current science, the FDA has no reason to believe that there are any immediate or short-term health risks presented by 4-MEI at the levels expected in food.”

    fda.gov

  2. Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)

    International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) · IARC

    monographs.iarc.who.int

  3. Caramel Color in Soft Drinks and Exposure to 4-Methylimidazole: A Quantitative Risk Assessment

    PLOS ONE · Feb 18, 2015 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  4. Proposition 65 List of Chemicals Known to the State to Cause Cancer or Reproductive Toxicity

    California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) · Jul 31, 2026 · Law

    “The date refers to the initial appearance of the chemical on the list.”

    oehha.ca.gov

  5. About Alcohol Use During Pregnancy

    U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · Aug 14, 2026 · Regulator

    “There is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy.”

    cdc.gov

  6. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  7. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture · January 2026 · Regulator

    “Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”

    cdn.realfood.gov

  8. 21 CFR 172.515 Synthetic flavoring substances and adjuvants

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Oct 9, 2017 · Law

    ecfr.gov

  9. Opinion on the follow-up of the re-evaluation of sorbic acid (E200) and potassium sorbate (E202) as food additives

    European Food Safety Authority · Mar 1, 2019 · Agency assessment

    “By applying a default uncertainty factor of 100, the Panel established a group ADI expressed as 11 mg sorbic acid/kg bw per day for sorbic acid (E 200) and its potassium salt (E 202).”

    doi.org

  10. 21 CFR 182.3640 Potassium sorbate

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Nov 22, 2016 · Law

    ecfr.gov

  11. Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses

    BMJ · Feb 28, 2024 · Peer-reviewed

    “Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”

    doi.org

  12. Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake

    Cell Metabolism · July 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org