Is Fruit Gushers Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Fruit Gushers
Fruit Gushers is one of the snack products analyzed by Zerotox for Fruit Gushers. The product scores 30/100 in Zerotox, meaning it has several flagged ingredients and may not suit cautious buyers.
The sections below explain why ingredients like Corn Syrup, Sugar, Fructose affect the overall evaluation.
30 / 100
Why score is 30
The composition includes several synthetic additives such as corn syrup, sugar, and artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5 & 6). These raise significant quality and safety concerns.
Main concern
High in sugar and corn syrup, indicating a highly processed product.
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 a highly processed product.
- Contains artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5 & 6) which may raise health concerns.
- Carrageenan is present, which has been linked to digestive issues in some studies.
- Palm oil is included, raising sustainability and health concerns.
Ingredients breakdown
Instead of a flat list, this section explains each ingredient in the context of this snack.
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Is Corn Syrup safe in this snack?
Bad
Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup is a highly processed sweetener that contributes to high sugar content and raises concerns about excessive sugar intake.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Corn Syrup
-
Is Sugar safe in this snack?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a refined sweetener that adds to the product's high sugar content, raising concerns about health impacts from excessive consumption.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sugar
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Is Pear Puree Concentrate safe in this snack?
Good
Pear Puree Concentrate is used here as natural_extract. Pear puree concentrate provides some natural fruit flavor and contributes minimally to the overall nutritional profile.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Pear Puree Concentrate
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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, but its processing raises concerns about quality and potential digestive issues.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Modified Corn Starch
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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 and is often linked to metabolic issues when consumed in excess.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Fructose
-
Is Maltodextrin safe in this snack?
Medium
Maltodextrin is used here as thickener. Maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate that can spike blood sugar levels and is often used as a filler in processed foods.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Maltodextrin
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Is Palm Oil safe in this snack?
Bad
Palm Oil is used here as oil_fat. Palm oil is a highly processed fat that raises health and environmental concerns due to its saturated fat content and sustainability issues.
Role in formula: oil_fat
Original: Palm Oil
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Is Glycerin safe in this snack?
Medium
Glycerin is used here as sweetener. Glycerin is a sugar alcohol used for moisture retention, but its processing raises questions about quality and health effects.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Glycerin
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Is Cottonseed Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Cottonseed Oil is used here as oil_fat. Cottonseed oil is a refined oil that may contain residues from pesticides, raising concerns about its safety and health implications.
Role in formula: oil_fat
Original: Cottonseed Oil
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Is Grape Juice Concentrate safe in this snack?
Good
Grape Juice Concentrate is used here as natural_extract. Grape juice concentrate adds natural sweetness and flavor, contributing positively to the product's overall composition.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Grape Juice Concentrate
Read the full ingredient profile for Grape Juice Concentrate
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Is Carrageenan safe in this snack?
Bad
Carrageenan is used here as thickener. Carrageenan is a thickening agent that has been associated with digestive issues and inflammation in some studies.
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 for flavor and preservation, but its synthetic nature raises concerns about quality in processed foods.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Citric Acid
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Is Monoglycerides safe in this snack?
Medium
Monoglycerides is used here as emulsifier. Monoglycerides are used to improve texture but are often derived from processed fats, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: Monoglycerides
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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 synthetic ingredient that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: Sodium Citrate
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Is Malic Acid safe in this snack?
Medium
Malic Acid is used here as acidulant. Malic acid is used for tartness but is a synthetic ingredient that may raise quality concerns in processed foods.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Malic Acid
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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 freshness and adds nutritional value, contributing positively to the product.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Read the full ingredient profile for Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid
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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 synthetic ingredient that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: Potassium Citrate
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Is Agar Agar safe in this snack?
Medium
Agar Agar is used here as thickener. Agar-agar is a plant-based thickener but can be processed, raising questions about its quality in this product.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Agar-Agar
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Is Natural Flavor safe in this snack?
Medium
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavor is used to enhance taste but can be vague in origin, raising concerns about quality and sourcing.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Natural Flavor
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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 raises concerns about processing and quality.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Xanthan Gum
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Is Color Yellows 5 6 Red 40 Blue 1 safe in this snack?
Bad
Color Yellows 5 6 Red 40 Blue 1 is used here as colorant. Artificial colors such as Red 40 and Yellow 5 & 6 are synthetic additives linked to various health concerns, impacting overall quality.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: Color (Yellows 5 & 6, Red 40, Blue 1)
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: 2380911
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.