Is Gushers Sweet & Fiery Fruit Flavored Snacks 12 Count Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Gushers Sweet & Fiery Fruit Flavored Snacks 12 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 composition includes several synthetic additives such as artificial colors (Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, Blue 1) and carrageenan, which raise quality concerns due to their potential health implications. The presence of palm oil also indicates a processed nature, contributing to the low rating.
Main concern
Contains multiple artificial colors (Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, Blue 1) which are associated with potential sensitivity issues.
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 puree concentrate) which adds some natural flavor.
- Includes vitamin C (ascorbic acid) which is a common antioxidant.
Concerns
- Contains multiple artificial colors (Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, Blue 1) which are associated with potential sensitivity issues.
- Carrageenan is included as a thickener, raising concerns about gastrointestinal effects in some individuals.
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 consumption is linked to various health concerns, including obesity and dental issues.
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 used in processed foods. It is high in fructose and can contribute to health issues when consumed in excess.
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, used to enhance sweetness. Its high sugar content raises concerns about excessive sugar intake.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: dried corn syrup
-
Is Pear Puree Concentrate safe in this snack?
Good
Pear Puree Concentrate is used here as natural_extract. Pear puree concentrate is a natural fruit ingredient that adds flavor and some nutritional value. It is minimally processed and contributes positively to the product's composition.
Role in formula: natural_extract
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 in this product. While it is derived from corn, its modification process raises some concerns about its naturalness.
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 lead to health issues when consumed in large amounts. Its presence indicates a high sugar content in the product.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: fructose
-
Is Maltodextrin safe in this snack?
Medium
Maltodextrin is used here as thickener. Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide used as a thickener and sweetener. It is derived from starch and can raise blood sugar levels, which is a concern for some consumers.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: maltodextrin
-
Is Palm Oil safe in this snack?
Bad
Palm Oil is used here as base. Palm oil is a widely used vegetable oil that raises environmental concerns due to deforestation. Its presence indicates a processed ingredient that may not align with health-conscious choices.
Role in formula: base
Original: palm oil
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this snack?
Medium
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is a natural preservative and flavor enhancer. While it is generally recognized as safe, its presence in processed snacks raises questions about overall ingredient quality.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: citric acid
-
Is Cottonseed Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Cottonseed Oil is used here as base. Cottonseed oil is a vegetable oil that is often used in processed foods. It is high in polyunsaturated fats, which can be a concern for some consumers due to potential processing methods.
Role in formula: base
Original: cottonseed oil
-
Is Glycerin safe in this snack?
Medium
Glycerin is used here as humectant. Glycerin is used to retain moisture in this product. While it is generally safe, its presence indicates a level of processing that may not appeal to all consumers.
Role in formula: humectant
Original: glycerin
-
Is Carrageenan safe in this snack?
Bad
Carrageenan is used here as thickener. Carrageenan is a thickening agent derived from seaweed. It has been linked to gastrointestinal issues in some studies, raising concerns about its safety in food products.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: carrageenan
-
Is White Grape Juice Concentrate safe in this snack?
Good
White Grape Juice Concentrate is used here as natural_extract. White grape juice concentrate is a natural sweetener and flavoring agent. Its inclusion adds some natural fruit content to the product, which is a positive aspect.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: white grape juice concentrate
Read the full ingredient profile for White Grape Juice Concentrate
-
Is Monoglycerides safe in this snack?
Medium
Monoglycerides is used here as emulsifier. Monoglycerides are used as emulsifiers to maintain product consistency. While they are derived from fats, their processing raises some concerns about their naturalness.
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 in this product. While it is generally safe, its presence indicates a level of processing that may not appeal to all consumers.
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 to the flavor profile. While it is generally recognized as safe, its presence in processed snacks raises questions about overall ingredient quality.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: malic acid
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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 and enhance flavor. Its presence indicates a level of processing that may not align with health-conscious choices.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: potassium citrate
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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 nutritional profile, although it is often added in processed foods.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: vitamin c (ascorbic acid)
Read the full ingredient profile for Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid
-
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 generally safe, its presence indicates a level of processing that may not appeal to all consumers.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: agar-agar
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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 the taste of the product. However, the term is vague and can encompass a range of processed substances, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural flavor
-
Is Xanthan Gum safe in this snack?
Medium
Xanthan Gum is used here as thickener. Xanthan gum is a thickening agent that helps maintain product consistency. While it is derived from fermentation, its processing raises some concerns about its naturalness.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: xanthan gum
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Is Color Yellows 5 6 Red 40 Blue 1 safe in this snack?
Bad
Color Yellows 5 6 Red 40 Blue 1 is used here as colorant. Artificial colors such as Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, and Blue 1 are used to enhance the visual appeal of the product. These synthetic dyes are associated with potential sensitivity issues and indicate a highly processed composition.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: color (yellows 5 & 6, red 40, blue 1)
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: 2379532
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.