Is Gummy Hearts Candy Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Hilco Corporation
Hilco Corporation's Gummy Hearts Candy is reviewed here as a dessert. 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 Glucose Syrup, Sugar, Artificial Flavor.
30 / 100
Why score is 30
The composition includes glucose syrup and sugar as primary sweeteners, along with artificial color (FD&C Red No. 40) and palm oil. These synthetic additives raise significant quality concerns.
Main concern
Glucose syrup and sugar are high in simple carbohydrates, raising 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 gelatin, which provides texture and is a common ingredient in gummy candies.
- Pectins are included, which can contribute to the chewy consistency of the candy.
Concerns
- Glucose syrup and sugar are high in simple carbohydrates, raising concerns about excessive sweetness.
- Artificial color (FD&C Red No. 40) is a synthetic dye that may pose health concerns for some consumers.
- Palm oil is present, which raises environmental and sustainability issues.
- The presence of multiple artificial ingredients indicates a highly processed product.
Who should avoid this product?
This formula may not suit:
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this dessert, not just listed as a raw label.
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Is Glucose Syrup safe in this dessert?
Bad
Glucose Syrup is used here as sweetener. Glucose syrup is a highly processed sweetener derived from starch, contributing to high sugar content and raising concerns about excessive sweetness.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: glucose syrup
-
Is Sugar safe in this dessert?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a refined sweetener that adds to the high carbohydrate content, raising concerns about health impacts from excessive consumption.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Water safe in this dessert?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as a solvent in the candy, essential for dissolving other ingredients and creating the desired texture.
Role in formula: base
Original: water
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Is Gelatin safe in this dessert?
Good
Gelatin is used here as base. Gelatin is a natural gelling agent derived from animal collagen, providing the chewy texture characteristic of gummy candies.
Role in formula: base
Original: gelatin
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this dessert?
Medium
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used to add tartness and balance sweetness, but it is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns for some consumers.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: citric acid
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Is Pectins safe in this dessert?
Good
Pectins is used here as stabilizer. Pectins are natural gelling agents derived from fruits, contributing to the texture and stability of the candy without synthetic additives.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: pectins
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Is Malic Acid safe in this dessert?
Medium
Malic Acid is used here as acidulant. Malic acid adds a sour flavor to the candy, enhancing taste but is a synthetic ingredient that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: malic acid
-
Is Artificial Flavor safe in this dessert?
Bad
Artificial Flavor is used here as flavor. Artificial flavoring is a synthetic additive used to enhance taste, raising concerns about the use of non-natural ingredients.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: artificial flavor
-
Is Sodium Citrate safe in this dessert?
Medium
Sodium Citrate is used here as buffer. Sodium citrate is used to regulate acidity in the candy, but it is a processed ingredient that may not be well-received by all consumers.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: sodium citrate
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Is Palm Oil safe in this dessert?
Bad
Palm Oil is used here as base. Palm oil is a highly processed fat that raises environmental concerns due to deforestation and habitat destruction associated with its production.
Role in formula: base
Original: palm oil
-
Is Artificial Color Fd C Red No 40 safe in this dessert?
Bad
Artificial Color Fd C Red No 40 is used here as colorant. FD&C Red No. 40 is a synthetic dye that may pose health risks and is associated with allergic reactions in some individuals.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: artificial color (fd&c red no. 40)
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: 3327597
More from this brand: Hilco Corporation products in Zerotox
Similar products: dessert in Zerotox database
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