Hidden Valley Ranch ingredients: what's banned overseas?

About Hidden Valley Ranch

Hidden Valley Ranch is the best-selling ranch dressing brand in the US, produced by The Clorox Company. It is sold at virtually every US grocery chain and mass retailer in bottled dressing, dry mix, and dip form. Ranch is the most consumed salad dressing flavor in the US, and Hidden Valley holds dominant market share in the category.

Common concerns with Hidden Valley Ranch products

Hidden Valley Ranch Original dressing contains monosodium glutamate (MSG), disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, and artificial flavors. It also uses EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) as a preservative — a chelating agent that is restricted or not permitted in many food applications internationally. The dry ranch mix packets similarly contain MSG and artificial flavors. High sodium content (270–290mg per 2 tablespoon serving) is also notable.