Is Gushers Variety Pack Family Pack Safe? Ingredient Analysis
General Mills
This page reviews Gushers Variety Pack Family Pack by General Mills as a snack. Its current score is 30/100, suggesting that it has several flagged ingredients and may not suit cautious buyers.
If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: Corn Syrup, Sugar, Fructose.
30 / 100
Why score is 30
The composition includes several synthetic additives such as corn syrup, sugar, and artificial colors (Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5 & 6), which indicate a highly processed product. Carrageenan and maltodextrin raise concerns about potential digestive issues, contributing to the low rating due to quality and safety implications.
Main concern
High in synthetic additives like corn syrup and sugar, which raise quality 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 grape juice concentrate, which adds a fruit component to the product.
- Includes vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which is a common antioxidant.
Concerns
- High in synthetic additives like corn syrup and sugar, which raise quality concerns.
- Contains artificial colors (Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5 & 6) associated with potential sensitivity issues.
- Carrageenan is included, which may cause digestive discomfort in some individuals.
- Palm oil is present, raising environmental sustainability concerns.
Ingredients breakdown
The ingredient notes below are written to explain what each ingredient does in this snack and why it matters.
-
Is Corn Syrup safe in this snack?
Bad
Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup is a highly processed sweetener that contributes to the product's high sugar content. Its use raises concerns about excessive sugar intake and potential health implications.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Corn Syrup
-
Is Sugar safe in this snack?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a refined sweetener that adds to the overall sweetness of the product. Its high presence raises concerns about health risks associated with excessive sugar consumption.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sugar
-
Is Pear Puree safe in this snack?
Good
Pear Puree is used here as base. Pear puree is a natural fruit ingredient that contributes flavor and moisture to the product. Its presence indicates some level of fruit content, which is a positive aspect.
Role in formula: base
Original: Pear Puree
-
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 some quality concerns.
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 high sugar levels in the product. Its presence raises concerns about potential health risks associated with excessive sugar intake.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Fructose
-
Is Maltodextrin safe in this snack?
Bad
Maltodextrin is used here as thickener. Maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate used as a thickener and sweetener. It can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, raising quality and safety concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Maltodextrin
-
Is Palm Oil safe in this snack?
Bad
Palm Oil is used here as emulsifier. Palm oil is used for texture and stability in the product. Its production raises significant environmental concerns, impacting sustainability.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: Palm Oil
-
Is Cottonseed Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Cottonseed Oil is used here as emulsifier. Cottonseed oil is a processed oil used for texture. While it helps maintain consistency, it is less favorable compared to more natural oils.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: Cottonseed Oil
-
Is Glycerin safe in this snack?
Medium
Glycerin is used here as humectant. Glycerin is used to retain moisture in the product. While it is generally safe, it is a processed ingredient that may not align with clean label preferences.
Role in formula: humectant
Original: Glycerin
-
Is Grape Juice Concentrate safe in this snack?
Good
Grape Juice Concentrate is used here as base. Grape juice concentrate adds natural sweetness and flavor to the product. Its presence is a positive aspect, contributing to the fruit content.
Role in formula: base
Original: Grape Juice Concentrate
Read the full ingredient profile for Grape Juice Concentrate
-
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 natural acid, its presence in high amounts can raise concerns about acidity levels.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Citric Acid
-
Is Carrageenan safe in this snack?
Bad
Carrageenan is used here as thickener. Carrageenan is a thickening agent derived from seaweed. It has been associated with digestive issues in some individuals, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Carrageenan
-
Is Monoglycerides safe in this snack?
Medium
Monoglycerides is used here as emulsifier. Monoglycerides are used to improve texture and stability. While they are derived from fats, they are processed and may not align with clean label standards.
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 the product. While it serves a functional purpose, it is a processed ingredient that may raise quality 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 tartness and flavor. While it is naturally occurring, its presence in processed foods raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Malic Acid
-
Is Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid safe in this snack?
Good
Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid is used here as antioxidant. Vitamin C is included as an antioxidant, contributing to freshness. Its presence is beneficial, 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 Natural And Artificial Flavor safe in this snack?
Bad
Natural And Artificial Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural and artificial flavors are used to enhance taste. The inclusion of artificial flavors raises concerns about synthetic additives in the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Natural and Artificial Flavor
Read the full ingredient profile for Natural And Artificial Flavor
-
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 may not align with clean label preferences.
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 plant-based thickening agent. While it is natural, its processing raises some quality concerns compared to whole food ingredients.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Agar-Agar
-
Is Xanthan Gum safe in this snack?
Medium
Xanthan Gum is used here as thickener. Xanthan gum is a thickening agent derived from fermentation. While it is generally safe, it is a processed ingredient that may not align with clean label standards.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Xanthan Gum
-
Is Color Red 40 Blue 1 Yellows 5 6 safe in this snack?
Bad
Color Red 40 Blue 1 Yellows 5 6 is used here as colorant. Artificial colors such as Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5 & 6 are used for visual appeal. These synthetic dyes are associated with potential sensitivity issues and raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: Color (red. 40, blue 1, yellows 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: 2379527
More from this brand: General Mills 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.