Is Gummi Worms Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Target Brands
Gummi Worms is a dessert from Target Brands. It has a Zerotox safety score of 30/100, which means it has several flagged ingredients and may not suit cautious buyers.
The main ingredients worth reviewing are Corn Syrup, Sugar, Sodium Lactate.
30 / 100
Why score is 30
The composition of Gummi Worms includes several synthetic additives such as sodium lactate and artificial colors like Red 40 and Yellow 5, raising significant quality concerns. The presence of gelatin indicates animal-derived content, which may not suit all dietary preferences.
Main concern
Includes multiple artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1), which raise safety concerns regarding synthetic additives.
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 apple juice from concentrate, providing a fruit-derived flavor component.
- Gelatin serves as a gelling agent, contributing to the chewy texture of the gummies.
Concerns
- Includes multiple artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1), which raise safety concerns regarding synthetic additives.
- High sugar content from corn syrup and sugar may contribute to health issues if consumed excessively.
Who should avoid this product?
This dessert may not be the best fit for:
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Each ingredient below is explained in the context of this dessert so the page answers more than a simple label list.
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Is Corn Syrup safe in this dessert?
Bad
Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup is a highly processed sweetener derived from corn, contributing to high sugar content and raising concerns about excessive sugar intake.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Corn syrup
-
Is Sugar safe in this dessert?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a refined sweetener that adds to the overall sugar content of the product, which can lead to health issues if consumed in large amounts.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
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Is Gelatin safe in this dessert?
Medium
Gelatin is used here as base. Gelatin is derived from animal sources and is used to provide texture. Its presence may not be suitable for vegetarians or vegans.
Role in formula: base
Original: gelatin
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Is Modified Potato Starch safe in this dessert?
Medium
Modified Potato Starch is used here as stabilizer. Modified potato starch is used as a thickening agent, but its processing raises concerns about the quality of the ingredient.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: modified potato starch
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Is Lactic Acid safe in this dessert?
Medium
Lactic Acid is used here as acidulant. Lactic acid is used to provide tartness and preserve the product, but it is a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: lactic acid
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Is Apple Juice From Concentrate safe in this dessert?
Good
Apple Juice From Concentrate is used here as flavor. Apple juice from concentrate adds a natural fruit flavor, contributing positively to the overall taste profile of the gummies.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: apple juice from concentrate
Read the full ingredient profile for Apple Juice From Concentrate
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Is Malic Acid safe in this dessert?
Medium
Malic Acid is used here as acidulant. Malic acid is used to enhance tartness in the product. While it is naturally occurring, its processing raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: malic acid
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Is Sodium Lactate safe in this dessert?
Bad
Sodium Lactate is used here as preservative. Sodium lactate is a synthetic preservative that helps maintain freshness but raises concerns about the use of synthetic additives.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: sodium lactate
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Is Modified Corn Starch safe in this dessert?
Medium
Modified Corn Starch is used here as stabilizer. Modified corn starch is used for texture and stability but is a processed ingredient that may not be of high quality.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: modified corn starch
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Is Calcium Lactate safe in this dessert?
Medium
Calcium Lactate is used here as buffer. Calcium lactate is used to provide calcium and stabilize the product, but it is a processed ingredient with mixed quality implications.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: calcium lactate
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Is Adipic Acid safe in this dessert?
Bad
Adipic Acid is used here as acidulant. Adipic acid is a synthetic acidulant that can enhance flavor but raises concerns due to its synthetic nature.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: adipic acid
-
Is Fumaric Acid safe in this dessert?
Bad
Fumaric Acid is used here as acidulant. Fumaric acid is a synthetic acid used for tartness, which raises concerns about the use of synthetic additives in the product.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: fumaric acid
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Is Tartaric Acid safe in this dessert?
Bad
Tartaric Acid is used here as acidulant. Tartaric acid is a synthetic acidulant that contributes to flavor but raises quality concerns due to its synthetic nature.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: tartaric acid
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Is Sodium Citrate safe in this dessert?
Medium
Sodium Citrate is used here as buffer. Sodium citrate is used to regulate acidity but is a processed ingredient that may not be of high quality.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: sodium citrate
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Is Titanium Dioxide safe in this dessert?
Bad
Titanium Dioxide is used here as colorant. Titanium dioxide is a synthetic colorant used for appearance, raising concerns about the safety of synthetic additives.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: titanium dioxide (color)
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Is Natural And Artificial Flavors safe in this dessert?
Bad
Natural And Artificial Flavors is used here as flavor. Natural and artificial flavors are used to enhance taste but raise concerns due to the ambiguity of their composition and potential synthetic origins.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural and artificial flavors
Read the full ingredient profile for Natural And Artificial Flavors
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Is Silicon Dioxide safe in this dessert?
Medium
Silicon Dioxide is used here as anti-caking agent. Silicon dioxide is used to prevent clumping but is a processed ingredient that may not be of high quality.
Role in formula: anti-caking agent
Original: silicon dioxide
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Is Red 40 safe in this dessert?
Bad
Red 40 is used here as artificial color. Red 40 is an artificial colorant that raises safety concerns due to its synthetic nature and potential health implications.
Role in formula: artificial color
Original: red 40
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Is Yellow 5 safe in this dessert?
Bad
Yellow 5 is used here as artificial color. Yellow 5 is an artificial colorant associated with potential allergic reactions and other health concerns, raising quality issues.
Role in formula: artificial color
Original: yellow 5
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Is Blue 1 safe in this dessert?
Bad
Blue 1 is used here as artificial color. Blue 1 is an artificial colorant that raises safety concerns due to its synthetic nature and potential health implications.
Role in formula: artificial color
Original: 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: 3329949
More from this brand: Target Brands products in Zerotox
Similar products: dessert in Zerotox database
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