Is Goldfish Baked Snack Crackers, Colors Cheddar Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Pepperidge Farm
Pepperidge Farm's Goldfish Baked Snack Crackers, Colors Cheddar is reviewed here as a snack. Zerotox gives it 60/100 based on the current ingredient profile, so it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The ingredient review below focuses especially on Sugar, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Colors.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes several processed ingredients such as autolyzed yeast extract and sugar, which raise quality concerns. Additionally, artificial colors like beet and huito are present, indicating a reliance on synthetic additives. These factors contribute to a moderate rating due to potential health implications associated with processed ingredients.
Main concern
Contains sugar, which raises concerns about added sweeteners in a snack 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 cheddar cheese, providing a source of flavor and texture.
- Includes spices and onion powder, which enhance the overall taste profile.
Concerns
- Contains sugar, which raises concerns about added sweeteners in a snack product.
- Includes artificial colors like beet and huito, indicating reliance on synthetic additives.
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 Flour safe in this snack?
Medium
Flour is used here as base. Flour serves as the primary ingredient providing structure to the crackers. While it is a staple in many baked goods, its refined nature raises concerns about nutritional value.
Role in formula: base
Original: flour
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Is Niacin safe in this snack?
Good
Niacin is used here as nutrient. Niacin is a B vitamin that plays a role in energy metabolism. Its inclusion indicates an effort to fortify the product, contributing positively to its nutritional profile.
Role in formula: nutrient
Original: niacin
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Is Reduced Iron safe in this snack?
Good
Reduced Iron is used here as nutrient. Reduced iron is added as a nutrient to enhance the iron content of the product. This fortification can help address dietary deficiencies, making it a beneficial addition.
Role in formula: nutrient
Original: reduced iron
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Is Thiamine Mononitrate safe in this snack?
Good
Thiamine Mononitrate is used here as nutrient. Thiamine mononitrate is a form of vitamin B1 added to support energy metabolism. Its presence indicates a focus on nutritional enhancement in the product.
Role in formula: nutrient
Original: thiamine mononitrate
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Is Riboflavin safe in this snack?
Good
Riboflavin is used here as nutrient. Riboflavin, or vitamin B2, is included for its role in energy production and cellular function. This addition supports the product's nutritional value.
Role in formula: nutrient
Original: riboflavin
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Is Folic Acid safe in this snack?
Good
Folic Acid is used here as nutrient. Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, important for DNA synthesis and repair. Its inclusion enhances the nutritional profile of the crackers.
Role in formula: nutrient
Original: folic acid
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Is Cheddar Cheese safe in this snack?
Medium
Cheddar Cheese is used here as flavor. Cheddar cheese adds flavor and richness to the crackers. However, its processed nature raises some concerns about overall ingredient quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: cheddar cheese
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Is Cultured Milk safe in this snack?
Good
Cultured Milk is used here as flavor. Cultured milk contributes to flavor and texture, providing a source of probiotics. Its presence indicates a focus on enhancing taste with natural ingredients.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: cultured milk
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Is Salt safe in this snack?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt is used to enhance flavor in the crackers. While necessary for taste, excessive sodium intake can raise health concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
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Is Enzymes safe in this snack?
Medium
Enzymes is used here as stabilizer. Enzymes are included to aid in the baking process and improve texture. While they serve a functional purpose, their processed nature raises some concerns.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: enzymes
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Is Annatto safe in this snack?
Medium
Annatto is used here as colorant. Annatto is a natural colorant derived from the achiote tree, used to impart a yellow-orange hue. While natural, it still raises questions about the need for added colors.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: annatto
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Is Vegetable Oils safe in this snack?
Medium
Vegetable Oils is used here as fat. Vegetable oils, including canola, sunflower, and soybean, are used for texture and moisture. Their refined nature raises concerns about the quality of fats used.
Role in formula: fat
Original: vegetable oils, canola, sunflower, soybean
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Is Sugar safe in this snack?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is added as a sweetener, which can contribute to excessive caloric intake and potential health issues. Its presence is a significant concern in snack foods.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
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Is Autolyzed Yeast Extract safe in this snack?
Bad
Autolyzed Yeast Extract is used here as flavor. Autolyzed yeast extract is a flavor enhancer that can contain high levels of sodium. Its processed nature raises concerns about the overall quality of the ingredient.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: autolyzed yeast extract
Read the full ingredient profile for Autolyzed Yeast Extract
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Is Spices safe in this snack?
Good
Spices is used here as flavor. Spices are included to enhance flavor naturally. Their presence indicates an effort to improve taste without relying solely on artificial additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: spices
-
Is Celery safe in this snack?
Good
Celery is used here as flavor. Celery is used for flavor enhancement and adds a natural element to the product. Its inclusion supports a more wholesome ingredient profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: celery
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Is Onion Powder safe in this snack?
Good
Onion Powder is used here as flavor. Onion powder contributes to the flavor profile of the crackers. Its natural origin supports a more authentic taste experience.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: onion powder
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Is Monocalcium Phosphate safe in this snack?
Medium
Monocalcium Phosphate is used here as leavening agent. Monocalcium phosphate is used as a leavening agent to help the crackers rise. While functional, it is a processed ingredient that raises some concerns.
Role in formula: leavening agent
Original: monocalcium phosphate
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Is Baking Soda safe in this snack?
Medium
Baking Soda is used here as leavening agent. Baking soda is included as a leavening agent to create a light texture. Its presence is common in baked goods, but it is still a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: leavening agent
Original: baking soda
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Is Colors safe in this snack?
Bad
Colors is used here as colorant. The term 'colors' suggests the presence of artificial colorants, which can raise concerns about synthetic additives in the product. This impacts the overall quality assessment.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: colors
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Is Beet safe in this snack?
Medium
Beet is used here as colorant. Beet is used as a natural colorant, providing a reddish hue. While natural, its inclusion alongside other colorants raises questions about the need for added colors.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: beet
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Is Huito safe in this snack?
Medium
Huito is used here as colorant. Huito is a natural colorant derived from the huito fruit, used to enhance color. Its presence indicates a reliance on color additives, which can be a concern.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: huito
-
Is Watermelon Juice Concentrates safe in this snack?
Good
Watermelon Juice Concentrates is used here as flavor. Watermelon juice concentrates are included for flavor enhancement. Their natural origin supports a more wholesome ingredient profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: watermelon juice concentrates
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Is Paprika safe in this snack?
Good
Paprika is used here as colorant. Paprika is used as a natural colorant and flavor enhancer. Its inclusion supports a more natural approach to coloring the product.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: paprika
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Is Turmeric Extracts safe in this snack?
Good
Turmeric Extracts is used here as colorant. Turmeric extracts are included for their natural coloring properties. Their presence indicates a preference for natural over synthetic colorants.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: turmeric extracts
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: 2374645
More from this brand: Pepperidge Farm products in Zerotox
Similar products: snack in Zerotox database
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