Is Caramel Swirl Ice Cream Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Cedar-Crest
This page reviews Caramel Swirl Ice Cream by Cedar-Crest as a dessert. Its current score is 50/100, suggesting that it shows multiple flagged ingredients that may matter for sensitive users.
If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup Solids, Mono Diglycerides.
50 / 100
Why score is 50
The composition includes several problematic ingredients such as corn syrup, carrageenan, and artificial flavors. Corn syrup and its solids raise concerns due to their high glycemic index, while carrageenan is associated with digestive issues. These factors contribute to a lower safety and quality rating.
Main concern
Contains corn syrup and corn syrup solids, which are high in sugar and can spike blood sugar levels.
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 buttermilk and nonfat milk, which provide some dairy benefits.
- Includes vanilla flavor derived from natural sources, contributing to taste.
Concerns
- Contains corn syrup and corn syrup solids, which are high in sugar and can spike blood sugar levels.
- Carrageenan is present as a stabilizer, raising concerns about potential digestive issues.
- Artificial flavors and colors indicate a highly processed composition, which may not appeal to health-conscious consumers.
Who should avoid this product?
You may want to be cautious with this product if you are:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
The ingredient notes below are written to explain what each ingredient does in this dessert and why it matters.
-
Is Buttermilk safe in this dessert?
Good
Buttermilk is used here as base. Buttermilk is a fermented dairy product that adds creaminess and flavor to the ice cream. Its presence indicates a natural dairy component, contributing positively to the overall quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: BUTTERMILK
-
Is Nonfat Milk safe in this dessert?
Good
Nonfat Milk is used here as base. Nonfat milk is used to provide a creamy texture without added fat. It contributes to the overall dairy content while keeping the calorie count lower.
Role in formula: base
Original: NONFAT MILK
-
Is Sugar safe in this dessert?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a common sweetener that enhances flavor but raises concerns due to its high glycemic index and potential health impacts when consumed in excess.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: SUGAR
-
Is Cream safe in this dessert?
Good
Cream is used here as base. Cream adds richness and smoothness to the ice cream, enhancing its mouthfeel and overall sensory experience. It is a natural dairy ingredient.
Role in formula: base
Original: CREAM
-
Is Corn Syrup safe in this dessert?
Bad
Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup is a high-fructose sweetener that can lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. Its presence raises concerns about the overall healthiness of the product.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: CORN SYRUP
-
Is Water safe in this dessert?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water is a necessary component in ice cream to achieve the desired texture and consistency. It is essential for the freezing process.
Role in formula: base
Original: WATER
-
Is Sweetened Condensed Milk safe in this dessert?
Medium
Sweetened Condensed Milk is used here as base. Sweetened condensed milk adds creaminess and sweetness but is high in sugar, which raises concerns about excessive sugar intake.
Role in formula: base
Original: SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK (CONDENSED MILK, SUGAR)
Read the full ingredient profile for Sweetened Condensed Milk
-
Is Corn Starch Modified safe in this dessert?
Medium
Corn Starch Modified is used here as thickener. Modified corn starch is used as a thickening agent to improve texture. While it is generally safe, it is a processed ingredient that may not appeal to all consumers.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: CORN STARCH - MODIFIED
-
Is Sodium Alginate safe in this dessert?
Medium
Sodium Alginate is used here as stabilizer. Sodium alginate is a natural thickener derived from seaweed. It helps stabilize the ice cream but is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns for some consumers.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: SODIUM ALGINATE
-
Is Salt safe in this dessert?
Good
Salt is used here as base. Salt enhances flavor and balances sweetness in ice cream. It is a common ingredient that contributes positively to taste.
Role in formula: base
Original: SALT
-
Is Sodium Bicarbonate safe in this dessert?
Medium
Sodium Bicarbonate is used here as buffer. Sodium bicarbonate is used to regulate acidity in the product. While it is generally safe, its presence indicates some processing.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: SODIUM BICARBONATE
-
Is Corn Syrup Solids safe in this dessert?
Bad
Corn Syrup Solids is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup solids are a concentrated form of corn syrup, contributing additional sweetness and raising concerns about high sugar content.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: CORN SYRUP SOLIDS
-
Is Whey safe in this dessert?
Good
Whey is used here as base. Whey is a byproduct of cheese production that adds protein and creaminess to the ice cream. It is a natural dairy ingredient.
Role in formula: base
Original: WHEY
-
Is Guar Gum safe in this dessert?
Medium
Guar Gum is used here as thickener. Guar gum is a natural thickening agent that helps improve texture. While it is generally safe, it is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: GUAR GUM
-
Is Mono Diglycerides safe in this dessert?
Bad
Mono Diglycerides is used here as emulsifier. Mono and diglycerides are emulsifiers that help blend ingredients but are often derived from partially hydrogenated oils, raising health concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: MONO & DIGLYCERIDES
-
Is Xanthan Gum safe in this dessert?
Medium
Xanthan Gum is used here as thickener. Xanthan gum is a thickening agent that improves texture. While it is generally safe, it is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: XANTHAN GUM
-
Is Polysorbate 80 safe in this dessert?
Bad
Polysorbate 80 is used here as emulsifier. Polysorbate 80 is a synthetic emulsifier that helps stabilize the product but raises concerns about synthetic additives in food.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: POLYSORBATE 80
-
Is Carrageenan safe in this dessert?
Bad
Carrageenan is used here as stabilizer. Carrageenan is a thickening agent derived from seaweed, but it has been associated with digestive issues, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: CARRAGEENAN
-
Is Vanilla Flavor safe in this dessert?
Medium
Vanilla Flavor is used here as flavor. Vanilla flavor is derived from both natural and artificial sources, contributing to taste but indicating some processing.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: VANILLA FLAVOR (HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, NATURAL & ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, CARAMEL COLOR)
-
Is High Fructose Corn Syrup safe in this dessert?
Bad
High Fructose Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener linked to various health issues, including obesity and metabolic syndrome, raising significant concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP
Read the full ingredient profile for High Fructose Corn Syrup
-
Is Natural Artificial Flavors safe in this dessert?
Bad
Natural Artificial Flavors is used here as flavor. Natural and artificial flavors are used to enhance taste but can be problematic due to their synthetic nature and lack of transparency.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: NATURAL & ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS
Read the full ingredient profile for Natural Artificial Flavors
-
Is Caramel Color safe in this dessert?
Bad
Caramel Color is used here as colorant. Caramel color is an artificial colorant that can be derived from various sources, raising concerns about its safety and processing.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: CARAMEL COLOR
-
Is Annatto Extract safe in this dessert?
Medium
Annatto Extract is used here as colorant. Annatto extract is a natural colorant derived from the seeds of the achiote tree. While it is generally considered safe, it is still a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: ANNATTO EXTRACT
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: 2388673
More from this brand: Cedar-Crest products in Zerotox
Similar products: dessert in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: milk
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.