Course:FNH200/Assignments/2025/HiddenValley Ranch

This is a wiki page dedicated to discussing the difference between Hidden Valley's regular and light ranch.

Overview

Ranch dressing is a creamy, tangy salad dressing that originated in the United States. It’s widely used not only as a salad dressing but also as a dip for vegetables, chicken wings, pizza, and fries. Ranch is known for its cool, herby flavor and smooth, thick texture, which makes it versatile and especially popular in American cuisine. It was originally developed in the 1950s at Hidden Valley Ranch in California, which later became a commercial brand.

A bottle of Hidden Valley Ranch

Ingredient lists (4 points)

1. Ingredients

Ingredients – Hidden Valley Ranch Regular

Vegetable Oil, Water, Reconstituted Buttermilk (water, buttermilk powder), Sugar, Salt, Phosphoric Acid, Vinegar, Dried Garlic, Dried Onion, Mustard, Xanthan Gum, Sorbic Acid, Spices, Disodium Phosphate, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, Calcium Disodium EDTA, Monosodium Glutamate, Natural Flavour.

Contains: Milk, Mustard.

May contain: Egg, Soy.

Ingredients – Hidden Valley Ranch Light

Rehydrated Buttermilk (water, dried buttermilk), Water, Vegetable Oil, Corn Maltodextrin, Sugar, Salt, Modified Corn Starch, Phosphoric Acid, Vinegar, Dried Garlic, Egg Yolk, Dried Onion, Xanthan Gum, Disodium Phosphate, Monosodium Glutamate, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, Sorbic Acid, Calcium Disodium EDTA, Natural Flavours, Artificial Flavour, Spices.

Contains: Milk, Egg, Soy.

May contain: Mustard.

2. Fat Substitutes, Sugar Substitutes, and Additives Used

	Hidden Valley Ranch Regular	Hidden Valley Ranch Light
Fat substitutes	None	Corn maltodextrin
Sugar substitutes	None	None
Additives	Phosphoric Acid, Vinegar, Xanthan Gum, Sorbic Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Calcium Disodium EDTA.	Phosphoric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Disodium Phosphate, Sorbic Acid, Calcium Disodium EDTA.

3. Role of Substitutes & Additives

Image 1: Hidden Valley Ranch Light

Fat substitutes / Functional fat replacer (Light only): Corn Maltodextrin, Modified Corn Starch, Egg Yolk

• Mimic the mouthfeel, creaminess, and viscosity of full-fat dressings while reducing calories and fat content.
• Act as thickeners and stabilizers, ensuring consistency and preventing separation.

Sugar substitutes: None in either product

Additives:

• Preservatives: Sorbic Acid, Calcium Disodium EDTA
  • helping extend shelf life by inhibiting microbial growth and oxidation.
• Thickeners/Stabilizers: Xanthan Gum, Disodium Phosphate
  • ensuring consistency and preventing separation.
• Acidifiers: Phosphoric Acid, Vinegar
  • adjusting pH and adding tangy flavor.
• Flavour enhancers: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate
  • especially used to intensify savoury (umami) taste.

    

    Image 2: Hidden Valley Ranch Regular

Functional Properties of Substitutes and Additives

Fat Substitutes / Functional Fat Replacer

1. Corn Maltodextrin
   • Primary Role: Bulking Agent. This is a carbohydrate that is produced from corn starch. It is tasteless and dissolves easily in water. It adds bulk and texture to the food item in place of fat, giving it a smooth, creamy mouthfeel that mimics fat. It also acts as a stabilizer for flavours and colours in the product, in that it helps with even distribution of these flavours and colours given the food item is more processed. It is a common ingredient in low-fat versions of food items.
2. Egg Yolk
   • Primary Role: Emulsifier. Egg yolk is added to help stablilize the mixture of water and oil in the reduced-fat formulation. Egg yolk contains lecithin, a protein that acts as a natural emulsifying agent and allows water and fat to blend into a smooth, uniform consistency. By acting as an emulsifier, egg yolk ensures the oil droplets and water don't separate, and it helps deliver the creamy and rich mouthfeel expected in ranch dressing despite the lower fat content.

Additives

1. Phosphoric Acid
   • Primary Role: Preservative. This is an inorganic acid that is used to lower the pH of the food item (makes it more acidic), thereby acting as a preservative to inhibit microbial growth and extending shelf life. It makes the flavour of the product more tangy, while also balancing the overall flavour.
2. Vinegar
   • Primary Role: Preservative. Acetic acid in vinegar acts as a natural preservative and enhances flavour. Like phosphoric acid, it inhibits microbial growth by lowering the pH and extending shelf life, however vinegar is a natural additive and has been used traditionally for pickling. Similarly, it adds a sour/tangy taste, enhancing the overall flavour of the product.
3. Xanthan Gum
   • Primary Role: Stabilizer / Thickener / Emulsifier. This additive is made via the fermentation of sugars by the bacterial species Xanthomonas campestris. When mixed with water, it forms a gel that thickens liquid, improves texture, and prevents separation of ingredients. It also stabilizes the product across temperature fluctuations.
4. Sorbic Acid
   • Primary Role: Preservative. This additive is an effective inhibitor of mould and bacterial growth, and is widely used in processed foods to extend shelf life. It has a neutral flavour, therefore it doesn’t impact the taste of the product.
5. Disodium Phosphate
   • Primary Role: Emulsifier / Buffering Agent. As a buffering agent, it stabilizes the pH of the product, thereby maintaining a consistent level of acidity, which is important for flavour and shelf life. It also helps to control moisture retention. As an emulsifier, it helps to blend water with fat.
6. Disodium Inosinate
   • Primary Role: Flavour Enhancer. This additive, although not having a strong flavour itself, amplifies the savoury and umami flavours of the product and is often used alongside monosodium glutamate (MSG). It is derived from animal and fish sources.
7. Disodium Guanylate
   • Primary Role: Flavour Enhancer. This additive is similar to disodium inosinate, boosting the savoury/umami flavour of the product, and is often used in place of salt and often alongside MSG.
8. Calcium Disodium EDTA
   • Primary Role: Preservative / Chelating Agent. The salt form of EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), this additive binds with and neutralizes pro-oxidant metals in the product (such as iron and copper), which otherwise speed up spoilage and discolouration via oxidation, e.g. causing fats to turn rancid. It therefore helps to preserve the colour and overall flavour of the product.
9. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
   • Primary Role: Flavour Enhancer. MSG is used to enhance the umami flavour by amplifying existing flavours. It is often used alongside disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate to create a richer, more savoury taste. It is also often used in place of salt.

4. Compare & Contrast

Hidden Valley Ranch Regular	Hidden Valley Ranch Light
Ingredient Order and Emphasis
Vegetable oil is listed first, meaning it is the main ingredient and makes up most of the product. This gives the dressing a creamy texture and higher fat content.	Rehydrated buttermilk and water are listed first, showing that the Light version uses more water-based ingredients to lower the fat.
Fat Content and Substitution
No fat replacers are used. Vegetable oil is the main fat source, adding richness and more calories.	Uses corn maltodextrin and egg yolk as fat replacers. Maltodextrin adds thickness without much fat, and egg yolk helps blend ingredients and keep the texture smooth. Vegetable oil is still included but in a smaller amount. This results in a lower overall fat content compared to the regular version.
Thickening Agents
Contains xanthan gum, which thickens the dressing and keeps the ingredients from separating.	Has both xanthan gum and modified corn starch to help make the texture creamy, especially since it has less fat.
Additives and Preservatives
Contains phosphoric acid, vinegar, xanthan gum, sorbic acid, disodium phosphate, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, monosodium glutamate, and calcium disodium EDTA. These are used to preserve the product, enhance flavor, and improve texture.	Contains phosphoric acid, xanthan gum, disodium phosphate, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, sorbic acid, monosodium glutamate, and calcium disodium EDTA. Similar to the regular version, they help with shelf life, flavor, and texture.
Flavoring Additions
Natural flavors like mustard, garlic, and onion, and monosodium glutamate (MSG), which enhances savory/umami flavor.	Contains egg yolk, artificial flavor, and monosodium glutamate (MSG) to bring back some of the flavor and richness lost from reducing the fat.
Allergens
Contains: Milk, Mustard. May contain: Egg, Soy.	Contains: Milk, Egg, Soy. May contain: Mustard.

Explanation of Key Differences:

Similarity:

Both versions of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing use several common ingredients including xanthan gum, phosphoric acid, disodium phosphate, sorbic acid, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, calcium disodium EDTA and monosodium glutamate (MSG). These are food additives that help with shelf life, texture stability, and flavor enhancement, especially enhancing the savory or umami taste.

In addition, both products include flavoring ingredients such as natural or artificial flavors and contain milk and at least one emulsifier to keep oil and water mixed.

Difference:

First of all, the ingredient order is different. In the regular version, vegetable oil is the first ingredient, making it the main fat source. This results in a richer texture and higher fat content. In contrast, the light version starts with rehydrated buttermilk and water, showing that it uses more water-based components to lower fat.

To replace the fat and maintain texture, the light version uses corn maltodextrin and egg yolk. Corn maltodextrin is a carbohydrate-based fat replacer produced from corn starch. It is tasteless, dissolves easily in water, and adds bulk and texture to foods in place of fat. Egg yolk acts as a natural emulsifier, helping the mixture stay smooth and creamy even with less oil. These fat replacers are not found in the regular version, which relies fully on vegetable oil.

For thickening, the regular dressing contains xanthan gum, which keeps the ingredients mixed and improves texture. The light version uses both xanthan gum and modified corn starch to make up for the lower fat content and maintain consistency.

There are also some differences in flavoring agents. The regular dressing includes natural ingredients like mustard, garlic, and onion, while the light version includes egg yolk and artificial flavoring to replicate the richness lost from reducing fat.

Finally, while both products share many of the same additives and preservatives, the regular version also includes vinegar, which is not present in the light version. Vinegar contributes to preservation and adds tangy flavor.

Labels

	Hidden Valley Ranch vs. Hidden Valley Ranch Light
Common Name	It is commonly known as Hidden Valley Ranch and Hidden Valley Ranch Light
Bilingualism	Has both official languages of Canada, English and French
Country of Origin	On the back label, "Product of the USA" is written
Date Markings & Storage Instructions*	The best before date is located on the label The bottle instructs users to refrigerate after opening
Name & Principle Place of Business*	The principal place of business is in California, United States Canada imports the syrup and the imports are valued at 592.82 million dollars
Legibility & Location	The information on the label can be easily read and the product is easily available in Canada
Net Quantity	The net weight 473 mL is declared on the front label for both the regular and light bottles.
Nutrition Facts	The table contains the required information such as (calories, fat (saturated and trans fat), cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrate, fibre, sugar, protein, calcium, iron, and vitamin A/C) Can bee seen in Image 1 & 2
Irradiation	Products are not irradiated, so it is not on the labels
List of Ingredients and Allergens	List of ingredients can bee seen in Image 1 & 2 This product contains milk, mustard. May contains egg, soy. This product contains milk, egg, soy. May contain mustard.
Sweeteners	There are no sweeteners present in either product
Food Additives	Clearly identified in the list of ingredients, and can bee seen in Image 1 & 2
Claim and Statements*	Hidden Valley Ranch (Regular and Light) both claim to be gluten-free and have a gluten free sticker on the front label. However, on their website's faqs page they do advise to be cautious and read the ingredients list. (ADD REFERENCE AND ELABORATE)

Personal Choice (5 points)

Please submit your individual component of this assignment on Canvas to protect your privacy and your personal opinion

References

This Food Science resource was created by Course:FNH200.