Is Brach's Christmas Nougats Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Brach's
Brach's Christmas Nougats is one of the dessert products analyzed by Zerotox for Brach's. The product scores 30/100 in Zerotox, meaning it has several flagged ingredients and may not suit cautious buyers.
The sections below explain why ingredients like Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Artificial Colors affect the overall evaluation.
30 / 100
Why score is 30
The composition includes several synthetic additives like hydrogenated palm kernel oil and artificial colors (Yellow 5, Red 40). These raise significant quality and safety concerns, indicating a highly processed product.
Main concern
Hydrogenated palm kernel oil is a processed fat that raises health concerns.
Why it matters: This ingredient is flagged in our analysis based on regulatory and scientific sources. Check the Ingredients section for details and see Data sources for methodology.
Regulation status: Ingredient safety is assessed from EU/EPA/CIR and similar databases; formulations may vary. Always read the product label.
Pros
- Contains corn syrup, which provides sweetness and texture.
- Includes peppermint for flavor, adding a seasonal touch.
Concerns
- Hydrogenated palm kernel oil is a processed fat that raises health concerns.
- Artificial colors (Yellow 5, Red 40) are synthetic and may pose health risks.
Who should avoid this product?
This product may be less suitable for:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Instead of a flat list, this section explains each ingredient in the context of this dessert.
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Is Corn Syrup safe in this dessert?
Medium
Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup is a sweetener that provides texture and moisture in this nougat. While it enhances sweetness, it is a processed ingredient with potential health concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: corn syrup
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Is Sugar safe in this dessert?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a common sweetener that contributes to the overall sweetness of the product. Its high content raises concerns about excessive sugar intake.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
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Is Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil safe in this dessert?
Bad
Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil is used here as base. Hydrogenated palm kernel oil is a processed fat used for texture. Its consumption is linked to health risks, including heart disease.
Role in formula: base
Original: hydrogenated palm kernel oil
Read the full ingredient profile for Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil
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Is Salt safe in this dessert?
Good
Salt is used here as base. Salt enhances flavor and balances sweetness in this product. It is a natural ingredient but should be consumed in moderation.
Role in formula: base
Original: salt
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Is Modified Food Starch safe in this dessert?
Medium
Modified Food Starch is used here as thickener. Modified food starch is used as a thickening agent. While it improves texture, it is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: modified food starch (corn, soy protein, egg whites)
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Is Artificial Colors safe in this dessert?
Bad
Artificial Colors is used here as colorant. Artificial colors like Yellow 5, Red 40, and others are synthetic additives used for visual appeal. They may pose health risks and are linked to various concerns.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: yellow 5, blue 1, red 40, yellow 6, red 3
How we score
Our safety scores and ingredient breakdowns are based on regulatory and scientific sources. See Data sources & methodology and How Zerotox works for full details.
Product info
Product ID: 3197215
More from this brand: Brach's products in Zerotox
Similar products: dessert in Zerotox database
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.