Is Fruit Flavored Sour Snacks, Apple Cherry Grape Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Fruit Gushers
This page reviews Fruit Flavored Sour Snacks, Apple Cherry Grape by Fruit Gushers as a snack. Its current score is 30/100, suggesting that it has several flagged ingredients and may not suit cautious buyers.
If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: Sugar, Corn Syrup, Dried Corn Syrup.
30 / 100
Why score is 30
The composition includes several synthetic additives such as sodium citrate and carrageenan, which raise quality concerns. Additionally, artificial colors like Red 40 and Yellow 5 are present, indicating a highly processed product with potential sensitivity issues. The presence of palm oil also raises environmental concerns.
Main concern
High sugar content from sugar and corn syrup raises concerns about 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
- Contains fruit puree concentrate, which adds some natural flavor and sweetness.
- Includes vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which is a common antioxidant.
- Natural flavor is present, contributing to the overall taste profile.
- Xanthan gum acts as a stabilizer, improving texture.
Concerns
- High sugar content from sugar and corn syrup raises concerns about excessive sweetness.
- Carrageenan is included, which is a thickener that may cause digestive issues for some individuals.
- Artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5) are present, which can be associated with sensitivity in some consumers.
- Palm oil is used, raising environmental sustainability concerns.
Ingredients breakdown
The ingredient notes below are written to explain what each ingredient does in this snack and why it matters.
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Is Sugar safe in this snack?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a highly processed sweetener that contributes to the overall sweetness of the product. Its high content raises concerns about excessive sugar intake and potential health implications.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sugar
-
Is Corn Syrup safe in this snack?
Bad
Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup is a sweetener derived from corn starch, contributing to the product's sweetness. It is highly processed and can lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar levels.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Corn Syrup
-
Is Dried Corn Syrup safe in this snack?
Bad
Dried Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Dried corn syrup is a concentrated form of corn syrup, adding sweetness and texture. Its high processing level raises concerns about its impact on health.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Dried Corn Syrup
-
Is Pear Puree Concentrate safe in this snack?
Medium
Pear Puree Concentrate is used here as flavor. Pear puree concentrate adds natural fruit flavor to the product. While it is a fruit-derived ingredient, its concentrated form may lack the benefits of whole fruit.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Pear Puree Concentrate
-
Is Modified Corn Starch safe in this snack?
Medium
Modified Corn Starch is used here as thickener. Modified corn starch is used as a thickening agent in this product. While it improves texture, it is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns about its health effects.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Modified Corn Starch
-
Is Fructose safe in this snack?
Bad
Fructose is used here as sweetener. Fructose is a simple sugar that can contribute to sweetness. Its high consumption is linked to various health issues, including metabolic concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Fructose
-
Is Maltodextrin safe in this snack?
Bad
Maltodextrin is used here as thickener. Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide used as a thickener and sweetener. It is highly processed and can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Maltodextrin
-
Is Palm Oil safe in this snack?
Bad
Palm Oil is used here as fat. Palm oil is a vegetable oil that raises environmental sustainability concerns due to deforestation and habitat destruction associated with its production.
Role in formula: fat
Original: Palm Oil
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this snack?
Medium
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is a natural preservative and flavor enhancer. While it is generally recognized as safe, its presence indicates some level of processing.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Citric Acid
-
Is Cottonseed Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Cottonseed Oil is used here as fat. Cottonseed oil is a vegetable oil that is often used in processed foods. Its health implications are debated, and it may contain residues from pesticides.
Role in formula: fat
Original: Cottonseed Oil
-
Is Glycerin safe in this snack?
Medium
Glycerin is used here as humectant. Glycerin is a humectant that helps retain moisture in the product. While it is generally safe, it is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: humectant
Original: Glycerin
-
Is Carrageenan safe in this snack?
Bad
Carrageenan is used here as thickener. Carrageenan is a thickening agent derived from seaweed. It has been associated with digestive issues in some individuals, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Carrageenan
-
Is Grape Juice Concentrate safe in this snack?
Medium
Grape Juice Concentrate is used here as flavor. Grape juice concentrate adds flavor and sweetness to the product. While it is fruit-derived, its concentrated form may lack the benefits of whole fruit.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Grape Juice Concentrate
Read the full ingredient profile for Grape Juice Concentrate
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Is Monoglycerides safe in this snack?
Medium
Monoglycerides is used here as emulsifier. Monoglycerides are emulsifiers that help blend ingredients. They are derived from fats and can be processed, raising some quality concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: Monoglycerides
-
Is Sodium Citrate safe in this snack?
Bad
Sodium Citrate is used here as buffer. Sodium citrate is a synthetic compound used to regulate acidity. Its presence indicates processing and raises concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: Sodium Citrate
-
Is Malic Acid safe in this snack?
Medium
Malic Acid is used here as acidulant. Malic acid is a natural acid that contributes to the sour flavor. While it is generally safe, it is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Malic Acid
-
Is Potassium Citrate safe in this snack?
Medium
Potassium Citrate is used here as buffer. Potassium citrate is used to regulate acidity in the product. Its synthetic nature raises concerns about the overall quality of the ingredient list.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: Potassium Citrate
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Is Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid safe in this snack?
Good
Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid is used here as antioxidant. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps preserve the product and may provide some health benefits. Its presence is a positive aspect of the composition.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Read the full ingredient profile for Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid
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Is Natural Flavor safe in this snack?
Medium
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavor is derived from natural sources and is used to enhance taste. However, its processing level can vary, raising some quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Natural Flavor
-
Is Agar Agar safe in this snack?
Medium
Agar Agar is used here as thickener. Agar-agar is a natural thickening agent derived from seaweed. While it is generally safe, it is still a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Agar-Agar
-
Is Color Red 40 Blue 1 Yellow 5 safe in this snack?
Bad
Color Red 40 Blue 1 Yellow 5 is used here as colorant. Red 40, Blue 1, and Yellow 5 are artificial colorants that can be associated with sensitivity issues in some individuals. Their presence indicates a highly processed product.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: Color (Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5)
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Is Xanthan Gum safe in this snack?
Medium
Xanthan Gum is used here as stabilizer. Xanthan gum is a natural polysaccharide used as a stabilizer. While it is generally safe, it is a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: Xanthan Gum
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: 2381180
More from this brand: Fruit Gushers products in Zerotox
Similar products: snack 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.