Is Fruit Gushers Flavor Mixers Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Gushers
Gushers's Fruit Gushers Flavor Mixers 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 Sugar, Corn Syrup, Dried Corn Syrup.
30 / 100
Why score is 30
The composition includes several synthetic additives such as artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 6) and carrageenan, which raise significant quality concerns. The presence of high fructose corn syrup and maltodextrin further indicates a highly processed product.
Main concern
High in sugar and corn syrup, indicating excessive sweetness and potential 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 fruit puree (pear) which adds some natural flavor.
- Includes vitamin C (ascorbic acid) which is a common antioxidant.
Concerns
- High in sugar and corn syrup, indicating excessive sweetness and potential health concerns.
- Contains artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 6) which are linked to various health concerns.
- Carrageenan is included, which may cause digestive issues in some individuals.
- Maltodextrin and modified corn starch are highly processed ingredients with limited nutritional value.
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 Sugar safe in this snack?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a highly processed sweetener that contributes to excessive sweetness and potential health risks associated with high sugar intake.
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, often high in fructose, contributing to high sugar content and associated health concerns.
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, further increasing the sugar content and potential health risks.
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 but is often processed, which may reduce its nutritional benefits.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: pear puree concentrate
-
Is Modified Corn Starch safe in this snack?
Bad
Modified Corn Starch is used here as thickener. Modified corn starch is a processed thickening agent that may have limited nutritional value and raises concerns about food processing.
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 high sugar levels in the diet, raising health concerns when consumed in excess.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: fructose
-
Is Maltodextrin safe in this snack?
Bad
Maltodextrin is used here as thickener. Maltodextrin is a highly processed carbohydrate that can spike blood sugar levels and offers little nutritional benefit.
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 highly processed fat that raises environmental and health concerns due to its saturated fat content.
Role in formula: fat
Original: palm oil
-
Is Cottonseed Oil safe in this snack?
Bad
Cottonseed Oil is used here as fat. Cottonseed oil is a processed oil that may contain harmful residues and is often high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can be inflammatory.
Role in formula: fat
Original: cottonseed oil
-
Is Glycerin safe in this snack?
Medium
Glycerin is used here as sweetener. Glycerin is a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener and humectant, but it can cause digestive issues in some individuals.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: glycerin
-
Is Grape Juice Concentrate safe in this snack?
Medium
Grape Juice Concentrate is used here as flavor. Grape juice concentrate adds flavor but is often high in sugars and may not provide significant nutritional benefits.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: grape juice concentrate
Read the full ingredient profile for Grape Juice Concentrate
-
Is Carrageenan safe in this snack?
Bad
Carrageenan is used here as thickener. Carrageenan is a thickening agent that may cause digestive issues and has raised concerns regarding its safety in food products.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: carrageenan
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this snack?
Medium
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used to add acidity and enhance flavor but is often derived from fermentation processes, raising concerns about processing.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: citric aci
-
Is Monoglycerides safe in this snack?
Bad
Monoglycerides is used here as emulsifier. Monoglycerides are emulsifiers that can be derived from fats and may raise concerns about their processing and health effects.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: monoglycerides
-
Is Sodium Citrate safe in this snack?
Medium
Sodium Citrate is used here as buffer. Sodium citrate is used to regulate acidity but is a processed ingredient that may not provide nutritional benefits.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: sodium čitrate
-
Is Malic Acid safe in this snack?
Medium
Malic Acid is used here as acidulant. Malic acid is a natural acid that enhances flavor but is often synthesized, raising questions about its processing.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: malic acid
-
Is Ascorbic Acid safe in this snack?
Good
Ascorbic Acid is used here as antioxidant. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is an antioxidant that can help preserve freshness but is often added in synthetic forms.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: vitamin c (ascorbic acid)
-
Is Potassium Citrate safe in this snack?
Medium
Potassium Citrate is used here as buffer. Potassium citrate is used to regulate acidity but is a processed ingredient with limited nutritional benefits.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: potassium citrate
-
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, but its processing may limit its health benefits.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: agar-agar
-
Is Natural Flavor safe in this snack?
Medium
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavor is derived from natural sources but can be highly processed, raising concerns about its quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural flavor
-
Is Color Red 40 safe in this snack?
Bad
Color Red 40 is used here as colorant. Red 40 is an artificial colorant linked to various health concerns, including hyperactivity in children.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: color (red 40)
-
Is Color Yellow 6 safe in this snack?
Bad
Color Yellow 6 is used here as colorant. Yellow 6 is an artificial colorant associated with potential allergic reactions and other health concerns.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: color (yellow 6)
-
Is Xanthan Gum safe in this snack?
Medium
Xanthan Gum is used here as thickener. Xanthan gum is a thickening agent that can be derived from fermentation but may cause digestive issues in some individuals.
Role in formula: thickener
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: 2381181
More from this brand: 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.