Is Coconut Snowballs Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Marks & Spencer
Coconut Snowballs is a snack from Marks & Spencer. It has a Zerotox safety score of 55/100, which means it shows multiple flagged ingredients that may matter for sensitive users.
The main ingredients worth reviewing are Palm Oil, Glucose Syrup, Sodium Benzoate.
55 / 100
Why score is 55
The composition includes several synthetic additives like sodium benzoate (E202) and multiple emulsifiers (E471, E477). These raise concerns about the overall quality and safety of the product.
Main concern
Sodium benzoate (E202) is a synthetic preservative that raises 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
- Contains desiccated coconut, a natural ingredient that adds flavor and texture.
- Raspberry jam includes pectin, a natural gelling agent derived from fruit.
Concerns
- Sodium benzoate (E202) is a synthetic preservative that raises quality concerns.
- Multiple emulsifiers (E471, E477) indicate a highly processed composition.
Who should avoid this product?
This snack may not be the best fit for:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Each ingredient below is explained in the context of this snack so the page answers more than a simple label list.
-
Is Sugar safe in this snack?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is used for sweetness and texture in this product, but its high content raises concerns about excessive sugar intake.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Wheat Flour safe in this snack?
Medium
Wheat Flour is used here as base. Wheat flour provides structure and texture, but gluten content may be problematic for those with gluten sensitivities.
Role in formula: base
Original: wheatflour contains gluten
-
Is Desiccated Coconut safe in this snack?
Good
Desiccated Coconut is used here as natural_extract. Desiccated coconut adds natural flavor and texture, contributing positively to the product's overall quality.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: desiccated coconut
-
Is Palm Oil safe in this snack?
Bad
Palm Oil is used here as base. Palm oil is a highly processed fat that raises environmental and health concerns due to its saturated fat content.
Role in formula: base
Original: palm oil
-
Is Raspberry Jam safe in this snack?
Medium
Raspberry Jam is used here as flavor. Raspberry jam adds flavor but contains added sugars and synthetic components, which may detract from overall quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: raspberry jam (raspberries · sugar glucose-fructose syrup - gelling agent: pectin (from fruit) acidity regulator: citric acid, e331 - colour: anthocyanins (from grapes))
-
Is Glucose Syrup safe in this snack?
Bad
Glucose Syrup is used here as sweetener. Glucose syrup is a highly processed sweetener that can contribute to excessive sugar intake and raises quality concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: glucose syrup
-
Is Glycerol safe in this snack?
Medium
Glycerol is used here as humectant. Glycerol acts as a humectant to retain moisture, but its synthetic nature raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: humectant
Original: humectant: glycerol
-
Is Raising Agent safe in this snack?
Medium
Raising Agent is used here as emulsifier. Raising agents like sodium bicarbonate help the product rise but can indicate a processed composition.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: raising agent: e450, sodium bicarbonate, calcium phosphates
-
Is Dried Whey safe in this snack?
Medium
Dried Whey is used here as base. Dried whey adds protein and texture but is a dairy derivative that may not be suitable for all consumers.
Role in formula: base
Original: dried whey (milk)
-
Is Cornflour safe in this snack?
Medium
Cornflour is used here as base. Cornflour is used for texture but is a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: cornflour
-
Is Salt safe in this snack?
Good
Salt is used here as base. Salt enhances flavor and is a common ingredient in many foods, contributing positively to taste.
Role in formula: base
Original: salt
-
Is Dried Egg White safe in this snack?
Medium
Dried Egg White is used here as base. Dried egg white provides structure and protein but may not be suitable for those with egg allergies.
Role in formula: base
Original: dried egg white
-
Is Sodium Benzoate safe in this snack?
Bad
Sodium Benzoate is used here as preservative. Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative that raises concerns about potential health effects.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: preservative: e202
-
Is Soya Flour safe in this snack?
Medium
Soya Flour is used here as base. Soya flour adds protein and texture but may not be suitable for those with soy allergies.
Role in formula: base
Original: soya flour
-
Is Emulsifiers safe in this snack?
Bad
Emulsifiers is used here as emulsifier. Emulsifiers like E471 and E477 are synthetic and indicate a highly processed product, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: emulsifier: e477, e471, e481, e475
-
Is Flavoring safe in this snack?
Bad
Flavoring is used here as flavor. Flavoring agents can be synthetic and may detract from the natural quality of the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: flavouring
-
Is Dextrose safe in this snack?
Bad
Dextrose is used here as sweetener. Dextrose is a simple sugar that can contribute to excessive sugar intake and raises quality concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: dextrose
-
Is Wheat Gluten safe in this snack?
Medium
Wheat Gluten is used here as base. Wheat gluten provides elasticity but may pose issues for those with gluten sensitivities.
Role in formula: base
Original: wheat gluten
-
Is Carotenes safe in this snack?
Medium
Carotenes is used here as colorant. Carotenes are natural colorants that enhance appearance but may not significantly impact quality.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: colour: carotenes
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this snack?
Medium
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used for acidity regulation but is a synthetic ingredient that raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: acidity regulator: citric acid
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: 3247057
More from this brand: Marks & Spencer products in Zerotox
Similar products: snack in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: gluten , milk , egg , soy
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.