Is Gushers Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Gushers 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 of Gushers includes several synthetic additives such as artificial colors (Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5) and carrageenan, raising 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 citric acid and ascorbic acid, which can enhance taste.
Concerns
- High in sugar and corn syrup, indicating a highly processed product.
- Contains artificial colors (Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5) linked to potential health concerns.
- Carrageenan is included, which may cause digestive issues in some individuals.
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 the product's high sugar content, raising concerns about excessive consumption.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sugar
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Is Corn Syrup safe in this snack?
Bad
Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup is a processed sweetener that adds to the overall sugar content and has been linked to various health issues.
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 some natural fruit flavor but is still processed, which may reduce its nutritional value.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Pear Puree Concentrate
-
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 its quality and safety.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Modified Corn Starch
-
Is Fructose safe in this snack?
Bad
Fructose is used here as sweetener. Fructose is a type of sugar that can contribute to health issues when consumed in excess, particularly in processed foods.
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, raising concerns about its use in snacks.
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 Citric Acid safe in this snack?
Good
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is a natural preservative and flavor enhancer, commonly used in food products to provide tartness.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Citric Acid
-
Is Cottonseed Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Cottonseed Oil is used here as fat. Cottonseed oil is a processed oil that may contain residues from pesticides, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: fat
Original: Cottonseed Oil
-
Is Glycerin safe in this snack?
Medium
Glycerin is used here as humectant. Glycerin is used to retain moisture but is a synthetic ingredient that may raise concerns about its processing.
Role in formula: humectant
Original: Glycerin
-
Is Carrageenan safe in this snack?
Bad
Carrageenan is used here as thickener. Carrageenan is a thickening agent that has been linked to digestive issues, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Carrageenan
-
Is Grape Juice Concentrate safe in this snack?
Medium
Grape Juice Concentrate is used here as flavor. Grape juice concentrate adds flavor but is processed, which may diminish its nutritional benefits.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Grape Juice Concentrate
Read the full ingredient profile for Grape Juice Concentrate
-
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
-
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 safety concerns.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: Sodium Citrate
-
Is Malic Acid safe in this snack?
Medium
Malic Acid is used here as acidulant. Malic acid is used to enhance flavor but is a synthetic ingredient that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Malic 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 synthetic ingredient that may raise safety concerns.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: Potassium Citrate
-
Is Ascorbic Acid safe in this snack?
Good
Ascorbic Acid is used here as antioxidant. Ascorbic acid is a natural antioxidant that helps preserve freshness and adds nutritional value.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: Ascorbic Acid
-
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 terms of specific ingredients, raising transparency concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Natural Flavor
-
Is Agar safe in this snack?
Medium
Agar is used here as thickener. Agar is a plant-based thickener but is processed, which may reduce its overall quality.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Agar
-
Is Color Red 40 Blue 1 And Yellow 5 safe in this snack?
Bad
Color Red 40 Blue 1 And Yellow 5 is used here as colorant. Artificial colors like Red 40, Blue 1, and Yellow 5 are synthetic additives linked to potential health risks.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: Color (Red 40, Blue 1 and Yellow 5)
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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 is still processed, raising quality concerns.
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: 3249873
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.