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Char Siu

by Trader Joe's in Prepared meats Barcode 0293392105990

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Ultra-processed food

Char Siu by Trader Joe's is listed in the Prepared meats category. It is classified as NOVA 4 (ultra-processed food). Contains: gluten, milk, mustard, pork, sesame seeds, soybeans.

Ingredients

PORK, SUGAR, SOY SAUCE (WATER. WHEAT. SOYBEANS SALT. ALCOHOL), WATER, MUSTARD SEASONING (MUSTARD, SALT, SUGAR, XANTHAN GUM OLEORESIN TURMERIC.POTASSIUM SORBATE. SODIUM BENZOATE [PRESERVATIVEST, NATURAL FLAVOR), CONTAINS 2% OR LESS: BETA-AROTENE (COLOR).CARAMEL COLOR.CHINESE HOT MUSTARD (WATER, MUSTARD, TUMERIC POTASSIUM SORBATE.AND SODIUM BENZOATE AS, PRESERVATIVE, 「MUSTARD, SALT, SUGAR, XANTHAN GUM, OLEORESIN, VINEGAR), CITRIC ACID, ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, RIBOFLAVIN FOCIN.REDUCED IRON. THIAMINE MONONITRATE., ACACIA HOISIN SAUCE (SUGAR, WATER, SWEET POTATO, SALT, MODIFIED CORN STARCH. SOY BEANS SPICES.SESAME SEEDS. CARAMEL COLOR. WHEAT FLOUR, GARLIC, CHILI PEPPER.ACETIC ACID).MONO - & DIGLYCERIDES., NATURAL & ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR.NONFAT MILK, PALM OIL, POTASSIUM SORBATE (PRESERVATIVE), PROPYL GALLATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL,, PROPYLENE GLYCOL ALGINATE.RED 40,SALT, SALT, SODIUM BENZOATE, SODIUM NITRITE. SODIUM PHOSPHATE,SOY LECITHIN, SOYBEAN OIL,, FITES TITANIUM DIOXIDE, VITAMIN A PALMITATE. WHITE VINEGAR,, MAN GUM.YELLOW 5. YELLOW 6##TOMK## **CONTAINS: MILK.SOY., MADE AND SESAME.**MAY CONTAIN EGG. PERISHABLE-KEEP, SOY., TATED

Contains palm oilNot veganNot vegetarian

Allergens: GlutenMilkMustardPorkSesame seedsSoybeans
May contain traces: Soybeans

Additives 14

E102 - Tartrazine

Colour

E129 - Allura red

Colour

E150c - Ammonia caramel

Colour

Moderate overexposure risk

E1520 - Propylene Glycol

Emulsifier

E171 - Titanium dioxide

Colour

E202 - Potassium sorbate

Preservative

High overexposure risk

E211 - Sodium benzoate

Preservative

High overexposure risk

E250 - Sodium nitrite

Preservative

High overexposure risk

E310 - Propyl gallate

Antioxidant

E322 - Lecithins

Antioxidant

E322i - Lecithin

Antioxidant

E330 - Citric acid

Antioxidant

E415 - Xanthan gum

Emulsifier

E471 - Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids

Emulsifier

Overexposure risk is based on EFSA evaluations as recorded by Open Food Facts.

Regulatory status of its additives

How the US, individual states and the EU treat additives found in this product's ingredient list.

United States

FDA asks to phase out E129 · E102

Red 40 (E129) and Yellow 5 (E102) are among six petroleum-based dyes FDA is asking manufacturers to remove by the end of 2027. The phase-out is voluntary: the dyes remain approved.

Source: FDA: Tracking Food Industry Pledges to Remove Petroleum-Based Food Dyes

California

Barred from California public schools E129 · E102

The California School Food Safety Act (AB 2316) bars Red 40 (E129) and Yellow 5 (E102) from food served or sold in public schools from December 31, 2027.

Source: California Department of Education, 2024

West Virginia

Barred from West Virginia school meals E129 · E102

West Virginia HB 2354 has barred Red 40 (E129) and Yellow 5 (E102) from school nutrition programs since August 1, 2025. A statewide ban due January 1, 2028 is on hold under a preliminary injunction (December 23, 2025) while the state appeals.

Source: National Agricultural Law Center

European Union

Warning label required in the EU E102 · E129

In the EU, food containing Yellow 5 (E102) and Red 40 (E129) must state that it "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children."

Source: Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex V

Not allowed in EU food E171

Titanium dioxide has not been authorised as a food additive in the EU since February 7, 2022.

Source: Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/63

What these additives are and what the research says: Red 40, Yellow 5, Titanium dioxide.

Additives are detected from the ingredient list by Open Food Facts and may be incomplete or out of date. Regulatory status checked October 6, 2026; rules are changing quickly. Not legal advice — always check the package label.

Product details

Sold in: United States
Barcode: 0293392105990

Prices reported by shoppers

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Frequently asked questions

Is Char Siu healthy?

It is in NOVA group 4 — ultra-processed food. Scores describe nutritional quality and processing, not suitability for your individual diet.

Is Char Siu vegan?

Based on its ingredient list, it is not vegan.

What allergens does Char Siu contain?

According to the label data it contains: Gluten, Milk, Mustard, Pork, Sesame seeds, Soybeans. Recipes change — always check the package label.

Does Char Siu contain additives restricted in the US or the EU?

Its ingredient list includes Red 40 (E129), Yellow 5 (E102) and Titanium dioxide (E171). FDA is asking manufacturers to stop using Red 40 (E129) and Yellow 5 (E102) by the end of 2027 (voluntarily); California bars Red 40 (E129) and Yellow 5 (E102) from public schools from December 31, 2027; West Virginia bars Red 40 (E129) and Yellow 5 (E102) from school meals; the EU requires a warning label on food with Yellow 5 (E102) and Red 40 (E129); the EU has not allowed titanium dioxide in food since 2022. Recipes change — check the package label.

Source: Open Food Facts (ODbL). Last updated June 9, 2025. Spotted a mistake? Edit this product on Open Food Facts. Not medical advice — always check the package label.