Candy Cane product image with 30/100 Zerotox safety score

Is Candy Cane Safe? Ingredient Analysis

Brach's

Brach's's Candy Cane is reviewed here as a dessert. Zerotox gives it 30/100 based on the current ingredient profile, so it has several flagged ingredients and may not suit cautious buyers.

The ingredient review below focuses especially on Corn Syrup, Sugar, Artificial Flavor.

30 / 100

Low quality

Why score is 30

The composition includes several artificial colors like Red 40 and Yellow 5, which raise safety concerns due to potential allergic reactions. The presence of corn syrup and sugar indicates high processing and low nutritional value.

Main concern

Includes multiple artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5) that may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

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 citric acid, which can enhance flavor and provide a tartness that balances sweetness.
  • The product is widely recognized and has a nostalgic appeal, making it popular during festive seasons.

Concerns

  • Includes multiple artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5) that may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
  • High sugar content from corn syrup and sugar raises concerns about excessive sweetness and low nutritional benefits.

Ingredients breakdown

Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this dessert, not just listed as a raw label.

  • Is Corn Syrup safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup is a highly processed sweetener that contributes to the overall sugar content of the candy. Its high glycemic index raises concerns about blood sugar spikes.

    Role in formula: sweetener

    Original: corn syrup

    Read the full ingredient profile for Corn Syrup

  • Is Sugar safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a common sweetener that adds to the candy's sweetness but offers no nutritional value and can contribute to health issues when consumed excessively.

    Role in formula: sweetener

    Original: sugar

    Read the full ingredient profile for Sugar

  • Is Citric Acid safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used to provide tartness and enhance flavor. While generally recognized as safe, it can cause irritation in some individuals when consumed in large amounts.

    Role in formula: acidulant

    Original: citric acid

    Read the full ingredient profile for Citric Acid

  • Is Artificial Flavor safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Artificial Flavor is used here as flavor. Artificial flavoring is used to mimic natural flavors but raises concerns about synthetic additives and potential allergic reactions.

    Role in formula: flavor

    Original: artificial flavor

    Read the full ingredient profile for Artificial Flavor

  • Is Red 40 safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Red 40 is used here as colorant. Red 40 is a synthetic dye that can cause allergic reactions in some individuals and has been linked to hyperactivity in children.

    Role in formula: colorant

    Original: red 40

    Read the full ingredient profile for Red 40

  • Is Red 40 Lake safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Red 40 Lake is used here as colorant. Red 40 lake is a variant of Red 40 used for coloring. It shares similar concerns regarding potential allergic reactions and hyperactivity.

    Role in formula: colorant

    Original: red 40 lake

    Read the full ingredient profile for Red 40 Lake

  • Is Blue 1 safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Blue 1 is used here as colorant. Blue 1 is a synthetic dye that may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals and raises concerns about synthetic additives.

    Role in formula: colorant

    Original: blue 1

    Read the full ingredient profile for Blue 1

  • Is Yellow 5 safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Yellow 5 is used here as colorant. Yellow 5 is a synthetic colorant that has been associated with allergic reactions and hyperactivity in children, raising safety concerns.

    Role in formula: colorant

    Original: yellow 5

    Read the full ingredient profile for Yellow 5

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: 3197304

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.

Frequently asked questions

This product scores 30 / 100 mainly because of: Includes multiple artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5) that may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.; High sugar content from corn syrup and sugar raises concerns about excessive sweetness and low nutritional benefits.. See the Concerns and Ingredients sections above. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Main concerns for this product: Includes multiple artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5) that may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.; High sugar content from corn syrup and sugar raises concerns about excessive sweetness and low nutritional benefits.. See the full list above.
Based on our data we do not detect fragrance in this product's listed ingredients. Formulations can change; check the label.
We do not detect parabens in this product's listed ingredients. Always check the label as formulations change.
Brach's — Candy Cane has a Zerotox safety score of 30 / 100. Higher scores mean fewer concerning ingredients. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Brach's — Candy Cane has a Zerotox safety score of 30 / 100. Check the ingredient breakdown above. More Brach's products. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
The composition includes several artificial colors like Red 40 and Yellow 5, which raise safety concerns due to potential allergic reactions. The presence of corn syrup and sugar indicates high processing and low nutritional value. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Brach's — Candy Cane has a Zerotox score of 30 / 100 among dessert products. See the full breakdown above.
Browse dessert products on Zerotox with ingredient analysis.
This depends on the ingredient profile. People with sensitive skin or scalp, users avoiding fragrance, sulfates or animal-derived ingredients, and cautious shoppers should review the breakdown above before buying. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
This product is flagged for: Includes multiple artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5) that may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.; High sugar content from corn syrup and sugar raises concerns about excessive sweetness and low nutritional benefits.. See the Concerns and Ingredients sections above.
Our analysis notes: Contains citric acid, which can enhance flavor and provide a tartness that balances sweetness.; The product is widely recognized and has a nostalgic appeal, making it popular during festive seasons.. See the Pros section above.

Safer alternatives from Brach's

Higher-scoring products from the same brand that may be worth comparing: