Is Gushers Strawberry Splash Fruit Flavored Snacks 6 Count Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Gushers Strawberry Splash Fruit Flavored Snacks 6 Count is one of the snack products analyzed by Zerotox. 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 ingredient analysis reveals several synthetic additives, including carrageenan and red 40, which raise quality and safety concerns. The presence of high fructose corn syrup and palm oil further indicates a highly processed composition.
Main concern
High fructose corn syrup and sugar contribute to excessive sweetness and raise health concerns.
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 pear puree concentrate, providing some fruit content.
- Includes vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which is a common antioxidant.
Concerns
- High fructose corn syrup and sugar contribute to excessive sweetness and raise health concerns.
- Carrageenan is a thickener linked to digestive issues in some individuals.
- Red 40 is an artificial colorant associated with potential behavioral effects.
- Palm oil raises environmental concerns due to deforestation and habitat destruction.
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 excessive sweetness and potential health risks when consumed in large amounts.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sugar
-
Is Corn Syrup safe in this snack?
Bad
Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup is a sweetener derived from corn starch, often high in fructose, which can lead to health issues when consumed excessively.
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, contributing to the overall sugar content and raising health concerns.
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 fruit flavor but is processed, which may reduce its nutritional benefits compared to whole fruit.
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 naturalness and potential health effects.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: modified corn starch
-
Is Fructose safe in this snack?
Bad
Fructose is used here as sweetener. Fructose is a simple sugar that can contribute to metabolic issues when consumed in high amounts, especially from processed sources.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: fructose
-
Is Maltodextrin safe in this snack?
Medium
Maltodextrin is used here as thickener. Maltodextrin is a carbohydrate derived from starch, used as a thickener, but it is highly processed and can spike blood sugar levels.
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 linked to health issues and environmental concerns due to its production methods.
Role in formula: fat
Original: palm oil
-
Is Cottonseed Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Cottonseed Oil is used here as fat. Cottonseed oil is a refined oil that may contain residues from pesticides, raising concerns about its safety and health implications.
Role in formula: fat
Original: cottonseed oil
-
Is Glycerin safe in this snack?
Medium
Glycerin is used here as sweetener. Glycerin is a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener and humectant, but its processing raises questions about its naturalness.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: glycerin
-
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 value compared to fresh juice.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: grape juice concentrate
Read the full ingredient profile for Grape Juice Concentrate
-
Is Carrageenan safe in this snack?
Bad
Carrageenan is used here as thickener. Carrageenan is a thickening agent derived from seaweed, linked to digestive issues and inflammation in some individuals.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: carrageenan
-
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, but it is often derived from fermentation processes.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: citric acid
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Is Monoglycerides safe in this snack?
Medium
Monoglycerides is used here as emulsifier. Monoglycerides are emulsifiers that help blend ingredients but are often derived from processed fats, raising quality concerns.
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 but is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns about its naturalness.
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 a natural acid that adds tartness but is often synthesized, raising questions about its processing.
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 is an essential nutrient and antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage, contributing positively to the product.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: vitamin c (ascorbic acid)
Read the full ingredient profile for Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid
-
Is Natural Flavor safe in this snack?
Medium
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavor is derived from natural sources but can be highly processed, raising questions about its safety and quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural flavor
-
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 processed ingredient that may raise concerns about its naturalness.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: potassium citrate
-
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, but its processing may affect its quality and safety.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: agar-agar
-
Is Red 40 safe in this snack?
Bad
Red 40 is used here as colorant. Red 40 is an artificial colorant linked to potential behavioral effects and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: red 40
-
Is Xanthan Gum safe in this snack?
Medium
Xanthan Gum is used here as thickener. Xanthan gum is a thickening agent derived from fermentation, but its processing raises questions about its naturalness.
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: 2379530
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.