Is Gushers Fruit Flavored Snacks Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Gushers
Gushers Fruit Flavored Snacks is one of the snack products analyzed by Zerotox for 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 Sugar, Corn Syrup, Dried Corn Syrup affect the overall evaluation.
30 / 100
Why score is 30
The composition of Gushers Fruit Flavored Snacks includes several concerning ingredients such as sugar, corn syrup, and artificial colors like Red 40. These additives indicate a highly processed product with potential quality and safety issues, contributing to a low rating due to the presence of multiple synthetic and high-sugar components.
Main concern
High sugar content from sugar and corn syrup raises 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 fruit puree concentrate, which adds some natural fruit flavor.
- Includes vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which is a common antioxidant.
Concerns
- High sugar content from sugar and corn syrup raises concerns about excessive sweetness.
- Contains artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5 & 6) associated with potential sensitivity issues.
- Carrageenan is present, which has raised safety concerns regarding digestive health.
- Palm oil is included, which has environmental sustainability concerns.
Ingredients breakdown
Instead of a flat list, this section explains each ingredient in the context of this snack.
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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 overall sweetness of the product. Its high content raises concerns about excessive sugar intake and associated health risks.
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 sweetener derived from corn starch, contributing to the product's high sugar content. Its use raises concerns about high glycemic index and potential health implications.
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. Its presence indicates a highly processed nature and raises quality concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: dried corn syrup
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Is Pear Puree Concentrate safe in this snack?
Medium
Pear Puree Concentrate is used here as natural_extract. Pear puree concentrate adds some natural fruit flavor to the product. However, its concentration is low compared to the high sugar content, limiting its positive impact.
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 in the product. While it helps with texture, it is a processed ingredient that raises some quality concerns.
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 in the product. Its presence raises concerns about excessive sweetness and potential health risks.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: fructose
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Is Maltodextrin safe in this snack?
Medium
Maltodextrin is used here as thickener. Maltodextrin is a carbohydrate derived from starch, used as a thickener and filler. While it is less sweet than sugar, it is still a processed ingredient that raises quality concerns.
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 vegetable oil that raises environmental sustainability concerns due to its production practices. Its presence indicates a reliance on processed fats.
Role in formula: oil_fat
Original: palm oil
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Is Cottonseed Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Cottonseed Oil is used here as oil_fat. Cottonseed oil is a vegetable oil used for texture and moisture. While it is less processed than some oils, it still raises concerns about its health implications.
Role in formula: oil_fat
Original: cottonseed oil
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Is Glycerin safe in this snack?
Medium
Glycerin is used here as solvent. Glycerin is a humectant that helps retain moisture in the product. While it is generally considered safe, its presence indicates a level of processing.
Role in formula: solvent
Original: glycerin
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Is Grape Juice Concentrate safe in this snack?
Medium
Grape Juice Concentrate is used here as natural_extract. Grape juice concentrate adds flavor and some natural sweetness. However, its concentration is low compared to the high sugar content, limiting its positive impact.
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 derived from seaweed. It has raised safety concerns regarding digestive health, which lowers the overall quality assessment.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: carrageenan
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Is Citric Acid safe in this snack?
Medium
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is used to add tartness and preserve freshness. While it is a natural acid, its presence in a highly processed product raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: citric acid
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Is Monoglycerides safe in this snack?
Bad
Monoglycerides is used here as emulsifier. Monoglycerides are emulsifiers that help blend ingredients. Their presence indicates a level of processing and raises concerns about synthetic additives.
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 in the product. While it serves a functional purpose, it is a processed ingredient that raises 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 a natural acid that adds tartness. Its presence is common in fruit-flavored products, but it is still a processed ingredient.
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 (ascorbic acid) is included for its antioxidant properties. It contributes positively to the product's composition, although its concentration may be low.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: vitamin c (ascorbic acid)
Read the full ingredient profile for Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid
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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. While derived from natural sources, its processing raises some quality concerns regarding transparency.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural flavor
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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. While it serves a functional purpose, it is a processed ingredient that raises 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 natural thickening agent derived from seaweed. While it is less concerning than synthetic thickeners, it still indicates processing.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: agar-agar
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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 produced through fermentation. While it is generally considered safe, its presence indicates a level of processing.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: xanthan gum
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Is Color Red 40 Blue 1 Yellow 5 6 safe in this snack?
Bad
Color Red 40 Blue 1 Yellow 5 6 is used here as colorant. Artificial colors such as Red 40, Blue 1, and Yellow 5 & 6 are used for visual appeal. These synthetic dyes are associated with potential sensitivity issues and indicate a highly processed composition.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: color (red 40, blue 1, yellow 5 & 6)
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: 2379524
More from this brand: 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.