Is Cherry Honey Scones Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Target Brands
Target Brands's Cherry Honey Scones is reviewed here as a snack. 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 Vegetable Oil Shortening, Natural And Artificial Flavor, Corn Syrup.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes enriched wheat flour and sugar, with several processed ingredients like vegetable oil shortening and modified potato starch. These raise concerns about quality and processing levels.
Main concern
Contains vegetable oil shortening, which is a processed fat with potential 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 dried cherries and cranberries, providing some fruit content.
- Includes honey, a natural sweetener that may enhance flavor.
- Uses enriched wheat flour, which adds some nutritional value.
- Eggs contribute to texture and moisture in the scone.
Concerns
- Contains vegetable oil shortening, which is a processed fat with potential health concerns.
- Includes artificial flavors, raising questions about ingredient quality.
- High sugar content from multiple sources, which may be a concern for some consumers.
- Modified potato starch and xanthan gum are processed additives that may not appeal to all.
Who should avoid this product?
This formula may not suit:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- users trying to avoid sulfates
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this snack, not just listed as a raw label.
-
Is Enriched Wheat Flour safe in this snack?
Medium
Enriched Wheat Flour is used here as base. Enriched wheat flour is a processed grain product used as the main ingredient, providing carbohydrates but lacking whole grain benefits.
Role in formula: base
Original: enriched wheat flour [wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, ascorbic acid as a dough conditioner, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, enzyme, folic acid]
-
Is Sugar safe in this snack?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a common sweetener that enhances flavor but contributes to high caloric content and potential health issues when consumed in excess.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Vegetable Oil Shortening safe in this snack?
Bad
Vegetable Oil Shortening is used here as base. Vegetable oil shortening is a processed fat that can contain trans fats, raising health concerns related to heart disease.
Role in formula: base
Original: vegetable oil shortening [palm oil, soybean oil]
Read the full ingredient profile for Vegetable Oil Shortening
-
Is Egg safe in this snack?
Good
Egg is used here as base. Eggs provide moisture and structure to baked goods, contributing beneficial proteins and fats.
Role in formula: base
Original: egg
-
Is Water safe in this snack?
Good
Water is used here as solvent. Water is essential for hydration and helps in the mixing process of the ingredients.
Role in formula: solvent
Original: water
-
Is Honey safe in this snack?
Good
Honey is used here as sweetener. Honey is a natural sweetener that adds flavor and moisture, though it also contributes to sugar content.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: honey
-
Is Butter safe in this snack?
Good
Butter is used here as base. Butter adds richness and flavor to baked goods, though it is high in saturated fat.
Role in formula: base
Original: butter [cream, salt]
-
Is Dried Cherries safe in this snack?
Good
Dried Cherries is used here as flavor. Dried cherries provide natural sweetness and flavor, along with some vitamins and minerals.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: dried cherries [cherries, sugar, sunflower oil]
-
Is Dried Cranberries safe in this snack?
Good
Dried Cranberries is used here as flavor. Dried cranberries add sweetness and tartness, contributing to the overall flavor profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: dried cranberries [cranberries, sugar, sunflower oil]
-
Is Leavening Blend safe in this snack?
Medium
Leavening Blend is used here as leavening. The leavening blend helps the scones rise, but contains processed ingredients that may not be ideal for all consumers.
Role in formula: leavening
Original: leavening blend [sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, corn starch, monocalcium phosphate, calcium sulfate]
-
Is Natural And Artificial Flavor safe in this snack?
Bad
Natural And Artificial Flavor is used here as flavor. The presence of both natural and artificial flavors raises concerns about ingredient transparency and quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural and artificial flavor
Read the full ingredient profile for Natural And Artificial Flavor
-
Is Salt safe in this snack?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor but excessive consumption can lead to health issues, such as hypertension.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
-
Is Icing Sugar safe in this snack?
Medium
Icing Sugar is used here as sweetener. Icing sugar is a finely powdered sugar used for sweetness in icing, contributing to high sugar content.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: icing sugar [sugar, corn starch]
-
Is Corn Syrup safe in this snack?
Bad
Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup is a processed sweetener that can contribute to excessive sugar intake and health concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: corn syrup
-
Is Guar Gum safe in this snack?
Medium
Guar Gum is used here as thickener. Guar gum is a thickening agent that helps improve texture but is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: guar gum
-
Is Modified Potato Starch safe in this snack?
Bad
Modified Potato Starch is used here as thickener. Modified potato starch is a processed thickener that may raise concerns about ingredient quality.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: modified potato starch
-
Is Xanthan Gum safe in this snack?
Medium
Xanthan Gum is used here as thickener. Xanthan gum is a thickening agent that improves texture but is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: xanthan gum
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: 3334289
More from this brand: Target Brands products in Zerotox
Similar products: snack in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: wheat , egg , soy
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.