Is Enriched Bran Flakes Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Harris Teeter
Enriched Bran Flakes is one of the cereal products analyzed by Zerotox for Harris Teeter. The product scores 60/100 in Zerotox, meaning it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The sections below explain why ingredients like Ascorbic Acid, Ferric Orthophosphate, Acetate affect the overall evaluation.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes whole grain wheat and wheat bran, which are beneficial, but the presence of sugar and several synthetic vitamins raises quality concerns.
Main concern
Added sugars, including sugar and brown sugar syrup, may contribute to excessive sweetness.
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 wheat and wheat bran provide dietary fiber, supporting digestive health.
- Contains essential vitamins like vitamin C and B vitamins, contributing to overall nutrition.
Concerns
- Added sugars, including sugar and brown sugar syrup, may contribute to excessive sweetness.
- Synthetic vitamins like vitamin D (cholecalciferol) and vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) raise concerns about artificial supplementation.
Ingredients breakdown
Instead of a flat list, this section explains each ingredient in the context of this cereal.
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Is Whole Grain Wheat safe in this cereal?
Good
Whole Grain Wheat is used here as base. Whole grain wheat serves as the primary ingredient, providing fiber and essential nutrients. Its whole grain status indicates minimal processing.
Role in formula: base
Original: whole grain wheat
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Is Wheat Bran safe in this cereal?
Good
Wheat Bran is used here as base. Wheat bran is a high-fiber ingredient that aids in digestion and contributes to the overall nutritional profile of the cereal.
Role in formula: base
Original: wheat bran
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Is Sugar safe in this cereal?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is added for sweetness, but its presence raises concerns about excessive sugar intake, which can lead to health issues.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Brown Sugar Syrup safe in this cereal?
Medium
Brown Sugar Syrup is used here as sweetener. Brown sugar syrup adds sweetness and moisture, but it is still a form of added sugar, contributing to the overall sugar content.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: brown sugar syrup
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Is Salt safe in this cereal?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor but should be consumed in moderation. Its presence indicates a balance of taste in the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
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Is Barley Malt Extract safe in this cereal?
Medium
Barley Malt Extract is used here as flavor. Barley malt extract adds flavor and sweetness, but it is a processed ingredient that may not provide significant nutritional benefits.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: barley malt extract
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Is Ascorbic Acid safe in this cereal?
Bad
Ascorbic Acid is used here as preservative. Ascorbic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin C used as a preservative. Its synthetic nature raises concerns about quality.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
-
Is Ferric Orthophosphate safe in this cereal?
Bad
Ferric Orthophosphate is used here as fortificant. Ferric orthophosphate is a synthetic iron supplement. Its inclusion indicates fortification but raises concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: iron (ferric orthophosphate)
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Is Acetate safe in this cereal?
Bad
Acetate is used here as fortificant. Vitamin E acetate is a synthetic form of vitamin E. Its synthetic nature raises questions about the quality of the fortification.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: vitamin E (acetate)
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Is Pantothenic Acid safe in this cereal?
Bad
Pantothenic Acid is used here as fortificant. Pantothenic acid is a synthetic vitamin B5. Its presence indicates fortification but raises concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: pantothenic acid
-
Is Niacinamide safe in this cereal?
Bad
Niacinamide is used here as fortificant. Niacinamide is a synthetic form of vitamin B3. Its inclusion raises concerns about the reliance on synthetic vitamins for nutrition.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: niacinamide
-
Is Zinc Oxide safe in this cereal?
Bad
Zinc Oxide is used here as fortificant. Zinc oxide is a synthetic form of zinc used for fortification. Its synthetic nature raises quality concerns.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: zinc (zinc oxide)
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Is Thiamine Mononitrate safe in this cereal?
Bad
Thiamine Mononitrate is used here as fortificant. Thiamine mononitrate is a synthetic form of vitamin B1. Its presence indicates fortification but raises concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: vitamin B1 (thiamine mononitrate)
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Is Palmitate safe in this cereal?
Bad
Palmitate is used here as fortificant. Vitamin A palmitate is a synthetic form of vitamin A. Its inclusion raises concerns about the quality of the fortification.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: vitamin A (palmitate)
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Is Pyridoxine Hydrochloride safe in this cereal?
Bad
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride is used here as fortificant. Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a synthetic form of vitamin B6. Its presence indicates fortification but raises concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride)
Read the full ingredient profile for Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
-
Is Riboflavin safe in this cereal?
Bad
Riboflavin is used here as fortificant. Riboflavin is a synthetic form of vitamin B2. Its inclusion raises concerns about the reliance on synthetic vitamins for nutrition.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
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Is Folic Acid safe in this cereal?
Bad
Folic Acid is used here as fortificant. Folic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B9. Its presence indicates fortification but raises concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: folic acid
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Is Cyanocobalamin safe in this cereal?
Bad
Cyanocobalamin is used here as fortificant. Cyanocobalamin is a synthetic form of vitamin B12. Its inclusion raises concerns about the quality of the fortification.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)
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Is Cholecalciferol safe in this cereal?
Bad
Cholecalciferol is used here as fortificant. Cholecalciferol is a synthetic form of vitamin D. Its presence indicates fortification but raises concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: vitamin D (cholecalciferol)
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: 3276336
More from this brand: Harris Teeter products in Zerotox
Similar products: cereal in Zerotox database
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.