S&B Wasabi – Prepared Wasabi in a Tube
This product was obtained in Malaysia and has different ingredients to previously reviewed product.
Ingredients
(as listed on package)
Horseradish, Lactose (Milk), Rice Bran Oil, Sorbitol, Salt, Water, Natural Flavor, Turmeric, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Artificial Color (FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Blue #1)
Miscellaneous Information
– Keep refrigerated after opening.- Distributed by S&B Foods Inc. – Product of Japan
Nutrition Facts
Serv.Size: 1tsp(5g), Servings about 9. Amount/Serving: Calories 15, Fat Cal. 5, Total Fat 0.5g (1%DV), Trans Fat 0g, Sodium 100mg (4%DV), Total Carb. 3g (1%DV). Not a significant source of saturated fat, cholesterol, fiber, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron. Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Comment
As can be seen from the ingredients list this product does not contain one iota of True Wasabi (Wasabia japonica) and yet it chooses to misrepresent itself to the public.
This green goo mixture has “natural flavour” instead of the previous “artificial flavor”, but there is still no indication of what it is and why it needs to be there.
What is “artificial color”? Could be anything? There are already two artificial colours in the mix (Yellow #5 and Blue #1 to give the goo the green colour), so this appears to be complete overkill and unnecessary.
Another problem is that there are forgeries of these products now available on the world market. Therefore, now you cannot be sure that you are getting the real “fake wasabi’ or something else that hasn’t declared all the ingredients and may be made in someone’s garden shed.
Artificial Colouring
Now these are the real nasties in the whole mix. What do these seemingly insignificant numbers hide?
FD&C Yellow No. 5
The real name for this colouring is Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a coal-tar derivative that is used to colour foods, cosmetics, and other products. It is literally industrial waste.
Tartrazine is also reputed to be a catalyst in hyperactivity/ADD, other behavioral problems, asthma, migraines, and lupus! It is alleged to cause allergies; thyroid tumors, lymphocytic lymphomas, chromosomal damage, and is banned in Norway.
Yellow #5 has been shown to cause cancer not only when ingested, but also when applied to the skin. Some artificial coal tar colours contain heavy metal impurities, including arsenic and lead, which are carcinogenic.
So why would you want to eat anything containing this ingredient?
FD&C Blue No. 1
This is another coal-tar derivative that is used to colour foods, cosmetics, and other products. More industrial waste!
Blue #1 has the same problems as Yellow #5 with the added complication of causing chromosomal damage. It is banned in France and Finland.
So why would you eat something that shortens your life?
Reviewers Recommendation
This product contains no wasabi whatsoever and appears to have no redeeming features except for its market penetration. In addition to that there are additives that have been shown to be harmful to the human body and my recommendation is that it should not be consumed. Look for better options by reading the ingredients list on any products you purchase. Also I find when eating this product that it is very gritty and unpleasant on the tongue. Not a good experience at all.
It also shows that the formulation of this green goo that is sold as “wasabi” varies. Is this dependent upon the batch being made, or where it is being made, or even for the market it is being made for?
It appears that you can’t even trust the “fake” wasabi to be true to label. 🙂
This is definitely a public health safety problem that needs to be dealt with by the authorities – none of which appear to be interested at this time.
Join the Stop Coloured Horseradish being called Wasabi! Campaign to try and get the protection we need from this green goo masquerading as “fake” wasabi!