Is Custard Creams Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Tower-Gate
This page reviews Custard Creams by Tower-Gate as a snack. Its current score is 60/100, suggesting that it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: Sugar, Dextrose.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes fortified wheat flour and vegetable oils, but also contains sugar and whey powder, raising concerns about processed ingredients and additives. This results in a moderate rating.
Main concern
Presence of sugar and dextrose indicates high sweetness, which raises concerns about excessive sugar intake.
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
- Fortified wheat flour provides essential nutrients like iron and calcium, contributing positively to the overall composition.
- The use of vegetable oils, while varied, can offer some healthier fat options compared to saturated fats.
Concerns
- Presence of sugar and dextrose indicates high sweetness, which raises concerns about excessive sugar intake.
- Whey powder, derived from milk, may not be suitable for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies.
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 snack and why it matters.
-
Is Fortified Wheat Flour safe in this snack?
Medium
Fortified Wheat Flour is used here as base. Fortified wheat flour serves as the primary ingredient, providing essential nutrients like calcium and iron. However, its refined nature raises concerns about fiber content.
Role in formula: base
Original: Fortified Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin)
-
Is Vegetable Oils safe in this snack?
Medium
Vegetable Oils is used here as base. Vegetable oils, including palm and rapeseed, are used for texture and moisture. However, palm oil raises sustainability concerns and may contribute to health issues.
Role in formula: base
Original: Vegetable Oils in Varying Proportions (Palm, Palm Kernel, Rapeseed)
-
Is Sugar safe in this snack?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is added for sweetness, contributing to the overall calorie content and potential health risks associated with high sugar consumption.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sugar
-
Is Dextrose safe in this snack?
Bad
Dextrose is used here as sweetener. Dextrose is a simple sugar that enhances sweetness but adds to the overall sugar content, raising concerns about excessive sugar intake.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Dextrose
-
Is Wheat Starch safe in this snack?
Medium
Wheat Starch is used here as thickener. Wheat starch acts as a thickening agent, improving texture. However, it is a processed ingredient that may lack nutritional benefits.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Wheat Starch
-
Is Sodium Carbonates safe in this snack?
Medium
Sodium Carbonates is used here as raising agent. Sodium carbonates are used as raising agents to create a light texture. While generally safe, they are synthetic and raise some processing concerns.
Role in formula: raising agent
Original: Sodium Carbonates
-
Is Ammonium Carbonates safe in this snack?
Medium
Ammonium Carbonates is used here as raising agent. Ammonium carbonates serve as a leavening agent, contributing to texture. However, they are synthetic and may raise concerns for some consumers.
Role in formula: raising agent
Original: Ammonium Carbonates
-
Is Whey Powder safe in this snack?
Medium
Whey Powder is used here as flavor. Whey powder adds flavor and protein but is derived from milk, which may not be suitable for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Whey Powder (Milk)
-
Is Salt safe in this snack?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor in this product, contributing to taste. In moderation, it is a necessary ingredient for flavor balance.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Salt
-
Is Flavouring safe in this snack?
Medium
Flavouring is used here as flavor. Flavouring is added to enhance taste but may include artificial components, raising concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Flavouring
-
Is Carotenes safe in this snack?
Medium
Carotenes is used here as colorant. Carotenes are natural colorants that provide visual appeal. They are generally safe but indicate some processing.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: Colour: Carotenes
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: 3838432
More from this brand: Tower-Gate products in Zerotox
Similar products: snack 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.