Is Corn Squares Cereal Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Foodhold
Corn Squares Cereal is a cereal from Foodhold. It has a Zerotox safety score of 60/100, which means it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The main ingredients worth reviewing are Sugar.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes milled corn and corn bran as primary ingredients, but also contains sugar and several synthetic vitamins. This mix raises moderate quality concerns due to the presence of added sugars and synthetic additives.
Main concern
Sugar is a significant ingredient, raising concerns about excessive sweetness and potential health impacts.
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
- Milled corn and corn bran provide a base of whole grains, contributing to fiber content.
- Mixed tocopherols are natural antioxidants that help preserve freshness without synthetic preservatives.
Concerns
- Sugar is a significant ingredient, raising concerns about excessive sweetness and potential health impacts.
- Synthetic vitamins like niacinamide and ascorbate may indicate a processed product, which can affect overall quality.
Ingredients breakdown
Each ingredient below is explained in the context of this cereal so the page answers more than a simple label list.
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Is Milled Corn safe in this cereal?
Good
Milled Corn is used here as base. Milled corn serves as the primary ingredient, providing essential carbohydrates and some fiber. Its whole grain nature supports better digestion.
Role in formula: base
Original: MILLED CORN
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Is Sugar safe in this cereal?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is added for sweetness, which can lead to health concerns if consumed in excess. Its presence indicates a processed nature of the cereal.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: SUGAR
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Is Corn Bran safe in this cereal?
Good
Corn Bran is used here as base. Corn bran adds dietary fiber, which is beneficial for digestive health. It enhances the nutritional profile of the cereal.
Role in formula: base
Original: CORN BRAN
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Is Salt safe in this cereal?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt is used to enhance flavor but can contribute to sodium intake concerns if consumed in large amounts.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: SALT
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Is Molasses safe in this cereal?
Medium
Molasses is used here as sweetener. Molasses adds sweetness and some minerals, but it is still a form of sugar, which raises similar concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: MOLASSES
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Is Baking Soda safe in this cereal?
Medium
Baking Soda is used here as leavening agent. Baking soda is used as a leavening agent, helping the cereal achieve the desired texture. It is generally safe in small amounts.
Role in formula: leavening agent
Original: BAKING SODA
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Is Mixed Tocopherols safe in this cereal?
Good
Mixed Tocopherols is used here as antioxidant. Mixed tocopherols are natural antioxidants that help preserve freshness without synthetic preservatives, contributing positively to quality.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: MIXED TOCOPHEROLS (ADDED TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS)
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Is Calcium Sodium Carbonate safe in this cereal?
Medium
Calcium Sodium Carbonate is used here as buffer. Calcium sodium carbonate is used as a leavening agent and to provide calcium, but its synthetic nature raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: CALCIUM SODIUM CARBONATE
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Is Reduced Iron safe in this cereal?
Medium
Reduced Iron is used here as fortificant. Reduced iron is added as a fortificant to enhance iron content, but it is a synthetic form that may not be as bioavailable as natural sources.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: REDUCED IRON
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Is Ascorbate safe in this cereal?
Medium
Ascorbate is used here as fortificant. Ascorbate (vitamin C) is added for fortification, but its synthetic nature raises questions about the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: ASCORBATE (VITAMIN C)
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Is Niacinamide safe in this cereal?
Medium
Niacinamide is used here as fortificant. Niacinamide is a synthetic form of vitamin B3 added for fortification, which may not provide the same benefits as natural sources.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: NIACINAMIDE
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Is Zinc Oxide safe in this cereal?
Medium
Zinc Oxide is used here as fortificant. Zinc oxide is included as a fortificant, but its synthetic form may not be as effective as natural sources of zinc.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: ZINC OXIDE
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Is Pyridoxine Hydrochloride safe in this cereal?
Medium
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride is used here as fortificant. Pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6) is a synthetic vitamin added for fortification, raising concerns about the quality of synthetic additives.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6)
Read the full ingredient profile for Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
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Is Riboflavin safe in this cereal?
Medium
Riboflavin is used here as fortificant. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is added for fortification, but its synthetic nature may not provide the same benefits as natural sources.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2)
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Is Thiamine Mononitrate safe in this cereal?
Medium
Thiamine Mononitrate is used here as fortificant. Thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1) is a synthetic form of vitamin B1 added for fortification, raising concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: THIAMINE MONONITRATE (VITAMIN B1)
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Is Vitamin A Palmitate safe in this cereal?
Medium
Vitamin A Palmitate is used here as fortificant. Vitamin A palmitate is a synthetic form of vitamin A added for fortification, which may not be as beneficial as natural sources.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: VITAMIN A PALMITATE
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Is Folic Acid safe in this cereal?
Medium
Folic Acid is used here as fortificant. Folic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B9 added for fortification, raising concerns about the quality of synthetic additives.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: FOLIC ACID
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Is Vitamin D safe in this cereal?
Medium
Vitamin D is used here as fortificant. Vitamin D is included for fortification, but its synthetic form may not provide the same benefits as natural sources.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: VITAMIN D
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Is Vitamin B12 safe in this cereal?
Medium
Vitamin B12 is used here as fortificant. Vitamin B12 is added for fortification, but its synthetic nature raises concerns about the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: VITAMIN B12
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: 3395981
More from this brand: Foodhold products in Zerotox
Similar products: cereal in Zerotox database
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