Is Gushers Strawberry Splash And Tropical Fruit 42 Count Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Gushers Strawberry Splash And Tropical Fruit 42 Count 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 includes multiple synthetic additives such as sodium citrate and carrageenan, which raise quality concerns. The presence of artificial colors like Red 40 and Yellow 5 indicates a highly processed product, contributing to the low rating due to potential health implications associated with synthetic ingredients.
Main concern
High sugar content from multiple sources 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 multiple sources raises concerns about excessive sweetness.
- Contains artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5) linked to potential sensitivity issues.
- Carrageenan is included, which has raised safety concerns regarding digestive health.
- Presence of palm oil, which has environmental sustainability concerns.
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 overall sweetness of the product. Its high content raises concerns about excessive sugar intake, which is linked to various health issues.
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 risks associated with excessive consumption.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: corn syrup
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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 ingredient that may contribute to health concerns related to sugar intake.
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 base. Pear puree concentrate adds some natural fruit flavor to the product. However, its concentrated form may not provide significant nutritional benefits compared to whole fruit.
Role in formula: base
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 this product. While it helps achieve desired texture, it is a processed ingredient that raises concerns about its impact on overall quality.
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 potential health risks associated with excessive fructose consumption.
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 generally recognized as safe, its high glycemic index raises concerns about its impact on blood sugar levels.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: maltodextrin
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Is Palm Oil safe in this snack?
Bad
Palm Oil is used here as base. Palm oil is a vegetable oil that raises environmental sustainability concerns due to its production methods. Its presence in the product indicates a reliance on processed fats.
Role in formula: base
Original: palm oil
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Is Cottonseed Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Cottonseed Oil is used here as base. Cottonseed oil is a vegetable oil used for texture and stability. While it is a common ingredient, concerns about its processing and potential pesticide residues may affect quality perception.
Role in formula: base
Original: cottonseed oil
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Is Glycerin safe in this snack?
Medium
Glycerin is used here as humectant. Glycerin is a humectant that helps retain moisture in the product. While it is generally safe, its presence indicates a level of processing that may not align with clean ingredient preferences.
Role in formula: humectant
Original: glycerin
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Is Grape Juice Concentrate safe in this snack?
Medium
Grape Juice Concentrate is used here as base. Grape juice concentrate adds flavor and sweetness to the product. However, its concentrated form may not provide significant nutritional benefits compared to whole fruit.
Role in formula: base
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. Its use has raised safety concerns regarding digestive health, leading to its classification as a problematic ingredient.
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 provide tartness and preserve freshness. While it is a common ingredient, its presence indicates a level of processing that may not align with clean ingredient preferences.
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 synthetic nature raises concerns about the overall quality and safety of the product.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: monoglycerides
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Is Sodium Citrate safe in this snack?
Bad
Sodium Citrate is used here as buffer. Sodium citrate is a synthetic ingredient used to regulate acidity. Its presence indicates a reliance on processed additives, which may lower the overall quality perception.
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 to the product. While it is generally safe, its presence indicates a level of processing that may not align with clean ingredient preferences.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: malic acid
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Is Vitamin C safe in this snack?
Good
Vitamin C is used here as antioxidant. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is included for its antioxidant properties. Its presence is beneficial, contributing positively to the product's overall composition.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: 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, the specific composition is often undisclosed, raising questions about its quality.
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 is generally recognized as safe, its synthetic nature raises concerns about the overall quality of the product.
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. Its presence indicates a more natural approach to texture, but it is still a processed ingredient.
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 helps improve texture, it is a processed ingredient that may not align with clean ingredient preferences.
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 and Yellow 5 are used for visual appeal. These synthetic additives 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: 2379410
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.