Is Extra Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Mars Norge AS
Mars Norge AS's Extra is reviewed here as a snack. Zerotox gives it 30/100 based on the current ingredient profile, so it has several flagged ingredients and may not suit cautious buyers.
The ingredient review below focuses especially on Xylitol, Sorbitol, Aspartame.
30 / 100
Why score is 30
The composition includes multiple synthetic sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose, which raise safety concerns. The presence of BHA as an antioxidant further indicates a highly processed product.
Main concern
Includes several artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and sucralose, which are associated with 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 glycerol, a humectant that helps retain moisture in the product.
- Gum arabic serves as a thickener, providing texture without significant health concerns.
Concerns
- Includes several artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and sucralose, which are associated with health concerns.
- BHA is a synthetic antioxidant that raises questions about long-term safety and potential health risks.
Who should avoid this product?
This formula may not suit:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
Ingredients breakdown
Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this snack, not just listed as a raw label.
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Is Xylitol safe in this snack?
Bad
Xylitol is used here as sweetener. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener. While it has dental benefits, it can cause digestive issues in some individuals.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: XYLITOL
-
Is Sorbitol safe in this snack?
Bad
Sorbitol is used here as sweetener. Sorbitol is another sugar alcohol that can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort when consumed in excess, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: SORBITOL
-
Is Aspartame safe in this snack?
Bad
Aspartame is used here as sweetener. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener linked to various health concerns, particularly for individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU).
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: ASPARTAME
-
Is Acesulfame K safe in this snack?
Bad
Acesulfame K is used here as sweetener. Acesulfame K is an artificial sweetener that has raised concerns regarding its long-term safety and potential health effects.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: ACESULFAME K
-
Is Mannitol safe in this snack?
Bad
Mannitol is used here as sweetener. Mannitol is a sugar alcohol that can cause digestive issues, particularly in sensitive individuals, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: MANNITOL
-
Is Sucralose safe in this snack?
Bad
Sucralose is used here as sweetener. Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that may have negative effects on gut health and raises questions about its long-term safety.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: SUCRALOSE
-
Is Gum Base safe in this snack?
Medium
Gum Base is used here as base. Gum base is a synthetic mixture used to provide chewiness. Its composition can vary, raising concerns about quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: GUM BASE
-
Is Gum Arabic safe in this snack?
Good
Gum Arabic is used here as thickener. Gum arabic is a natural thickener derived from acacia trees, generally considered safe and beneficial for texture.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: GUM ARABIC
-
Is Glycerol safe in this snack?
Good
Glycerol is used here as humectant. Glycerol is a natural humectant that helps retain moisture, contributing positively to the product's texture and quality.
Role in formula: humectant
Original: GLYCEROL
-
Is Flavourings safe in this snack?
Medium
Flavourings is used here as flavor. Flavourings can be natural or artificial, and their unspecified nature raises concerns about potential synthetic additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: FLAVOURINGS
-
Is Calcium Phosphates safe in this snack?
Medium
Calcium Phosphates is used here as bulking agent. Calcium phosphates are used as bulking agents but can raise concerns regarding their synthetic nature and processing.
Role in formula: bulking agent
Original: CALCIUM PHOSPHATES
-
Is Soya Lecithin safe in this snack?
Medium
Soya Lecithin is used here as emulsifier. Soya lecithin is a common emulsifier that can be derived from genetically modified soy, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: SOYA LECITHIN
-
Is Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate safe in this snack?
Good
Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate is used here as acidity regulator. Sodium hydrogen carbonate is a common acidity regulator that helps maintain pH balance without significant safety concerns.
Role in formula: acidity regulator
Original: SODIUM HYDROGEN CARBONATE
Read the full ingredient profile for Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate
-
Is Carnauba Wax safe in this snack?
Medium
Carnauba Wax is used here as glazing agent. Carnauba wax is a natural glazing agent, but its processing can raise questions about purity and quality.
Role in formula: glazing agent
Original: CARNAUBA WAX
-
Is Bha safe in this snack?
Bad
Bha is used here as antioxidant. BHA is a synthetic antioxidant that raises concerns about potential health risks associated with long-term consumption.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: BHA
-
Is E133 safe in this snack?
Bad
E133 is used here as colorant. E133 is a synthetic colorant that may pose health risks and raises concerns about the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: E133
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: 3876632
More from this brand: Mars Norge AS products in Zerotox
Similar products: snack in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: phenylalanine
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.