Is Cheerios Veggie Blends Apple Strawberry Safe? Ingredient Analysis
General Mills
General Mills's Cheerios Veggie Blends Apple Strawberry is reviewed here as a cereal. Zerotox gives it 60/100 based on the current ingredient profile, so it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The ingredient review below focuses especially on Sugar, Corn Syrup, Tripotassium Phosphate.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes whole grain oats and various fruit and vegetable purees, which contribute to a more natural profile. However, the presence of sugar and corn syrup raises concerns about added sugars, impacting the overall quality and safety assessment.
Main concern
Sugar and corn syrup are significant sources of added sugars, raising quality 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
- Whole grain oats provide a good source of fiber, supporting digestive health.
- Fruit and vegetable purees like strawberry and sweet potato add natural flavors and some nutrients.
- Contains added vitamins and minerals, enhancing nutritional value.
- Natural flavors and color from fruit and vegetable juice indicate less synthetic processing.
Concerns
- Sugar and corn syrup are significant sources of added sugars, raising quality concerns.
- Canola and/or sunflower oil are processed oils that may not be ideal for health-conscious consumers.
- Tripotassium phosphate is a synthetic additive that raises questions about ingredient quality.
- Coloring agents like annatto extract, while natural, indicate some level of processing.
Ingredients breakdown
Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this cereal, not just listed as a raw label.
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Is Whole Grain Oats safe in this cereal?
Good
Whole Grain Oats is used here as base. Whole grain oats serve as the primary ingredient, providing dietary fiber and essential nutrients. Their inclusion supports digestive health and contributes to a more wholesome product.
Role in formula: base
Original: Whole Grain Oats
-
Is Corn Meal safe in this cereal?
Medium
Corn Meal is used here as base. Corn meal is a processed grain that adds texture and flavor to the cereal. While it contributes to the overall composition, it is less nutritious than whole grains.
Role in formula: base
Original: Corn Meal
-
Is Sugar safe in this cereal?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is added for sweetness, but its high content raises concerns about excessive sugar intake, which can lead to health issues if consumed in large amounts.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sugar
-
Is Sweet Potato Powder safe in this cereal?
Good
Sweet Potato Powder is used here as natural_extract. Sweet potato powder adds natural sweetness and nutrients, contributing positively to the product's overall profile without synthetic additives.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Sweet Potato Powder
-
Is Corn Starch safe in this cereal?
Medium
Corn Starch is used here as thickener. Corn starch is used as a thickening agent, which can improve texture but is a refined ingredient with limited nutritional benefits.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Corn Starch
-
Is Carrot Powder safe in this cereal?
Good
Carrot Powder is used here as natural_extract. Carrot powder provides natural color and some nutrients, enhancing the product's appeal without synthetic additives.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Carrot Powder
-
Is Canola And Or Sunflower Oil safe in this cereal?
Medium
Canola And Or Sunflower Oil is used here as emulsifier. Canola and sunflower oils are used for texture and moisture. While they are plant-based, they are processed oils that may not align with health-conscious choices.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: Canola and/or Sunflower Oil
Read the full ingredient profile for Canola And Or Sunflower Oil
-
Is Strawberry Puree safe in this cereal?
Good
Strawberry Puree is used here as natural_extract. Strawberry puree adds natural flavor and sweetness, contributing positively to the product's overall quality without synthetic intervention.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Strawberry Puree
-
Is Apple Puree safe in this cereal?
Good
Apple Puree is used here as natural_extract. Apple puree enhances flavor and provides natural sweetness, supporting a more wholesome ingredient profile.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Apple Puree
-
Is Corn Syrup safe in this cereal?
Bad
Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup is a high-fructose sweetener that contributes to added sugars in the product, raising concerns about excessive sugar consumption.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Corn Syrup
-
Is Salt safe in this cereal?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt is added for flavor enhancement, but excessive sodium intake can be a concern for some consumers.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Salt
-
Is Spinach Powder safe in this cereal?
Good
Spinach Powder is used here as natural_extract. Spinach powder adds natural color and nutrients, contributing positively to the product's overall profile without synthetic additives.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Spinach Powder
-
Is Color Fruit And Vegetable Juice Annatto Extract safe in this cereal?
Medium
Color Fruit And Vegetable Juice Annatto Extract is used here as colorant. Coloring agents derived from fruit and vegetable juices and annatto extract are used to enhance visual appeal. While natural, they indicate some level of processing.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: Color (fruit and vegetable juice, annatto extract)
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Is Tripotassium Phosphate safe in this cereal?
Bad
Tripotassium Phosphate is used here as stabilizer. Tripotassium phosphate is a synthetic additive used for stabilization. Its presence raises concerns about the overall quality of the ingredient list.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: Tripotassium Phosphate
-
Is Natural Flavor safe in this cereal?
Medium
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavor is included to enhance taste but can be vague in terms of specific components, raising questions about transparency in ingredient sourcing.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Natural Flavor.
-
Is Vitamin E Mixed Tocopherols safe in this cereal?
Good
Vitamin E Mixed Tocopherols is used here as antioxidant. Vitamin E is included as a natural antioxidant to preserve freshness. Its presence supports the product's quality by preventing oxidation.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols)
Read the full ingredient profile for Vitamin E Mixed Tocopherols
-
Is Calcium Carbonate safe in this cereal?
Medium
Calcium Carbonate is used here as fortifier. Calcium carbonate is added as a mineral fortifier, contributing to the nutritional profile but is a synthetic compound.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: Calcium Carbonate
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Is Iron And Zinc Mineral Nutrients safe in this cereal?
Good
Iron And Zinc Mineral Nutrients is used here as fortifier. Iron and zinc are essential minerals added to enhance the nutritional value of the product, supporting overall health.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: Iron and Zinc (mineral nutrients)
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Is Vitamin C Sodium Ascorbate safe in this cereal?
Good
Vitamin C Sodium Ascorbate is used here as fortifier. Vitamin C is included as a fortifier, contributing to the product's nutritional profile and supporting overall health.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate)
Read the full ingredient profile for Vitamin C Sodium Ascorbate
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Is Niacinamide safe in this cereal?
Good
Niacinamide is used here as fortifier. Niacinamide is a B vitamin added to enhance the nutritional profile, supporting overall health.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: A B Vitamin (niacinamide)
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Is Pyridoxine Hydrochloride safe in this cereal?
Good
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride is used here as fortifier. Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a B vitamin included to enhance the nutritional profile, supporting overall health.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride)
Read the full ingredient profile for Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
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Is Thiamin Mononitrate safe in this cereal?
Good
Thiamin Mononitrate is used here as fortifier. Thiamin mononitrate is a B vitamin added to enhance the nutritional profile, supporting overall health.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: Vitamin B1 (thiamin mononitrate)
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Is Riboflavin safe in this cereal?
Good
Riboflavin is used here as fortifier. Riboflavin is a B vitamin included to enhance the nutritional profile, supporting overall health.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
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Is Folic Acid safe in this cereal?
Good
Folic Acid is used here as fortifier. Folic acid is a B vitamin added to enhance the nutritional profile, supporting overall health.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: A B Vitamin (folic acid)
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Is Vitamin B12 safe in this cereal?
Good
Vitamin B12 is used here as fortifier. Vitamin B12 is included to enhance the nutritional profile, supporting overall health.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: Vitamin B12
-
Is Vitamin D3 safe in this cereal?
Good
Vitamin D3 is used here as fortifier. Vitamin D3 is added to enhance the nutritional profile, supporting overall health.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: Vitamin D3
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: 2380064
More from this brand: General Mills products in Zerotox
Similar products: cereal in Zerotox database
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